It happened on a random Tuesday. You’re scrolling through X (formerly Twitter), expecting to see Stephen A. Smith screaming about the New York Knicks' lack of a true superstar or why Jerry Jones is the bane of the Cowboys' existence. Instead, you see a graphic of the "First Take" legend staring down a Charizard.
It feels like a fever dream.
The Stephen A. Smith Pokemon saga isn't just a meme; it’s a masterclass in how modern sports media and gaming culture have smashed into each other with the force of a Giga Impact. For years, the internet has joked about what Stephen A. would say if he had to analyze the Kanto region. But then, it became real. During a segment of "The Stephen A. Smith Show," the man himself finally addressed the fans who have been begging for his "scouting reports" on Pocket Monsters.
The Viral Moment: Stephen A. Smith Finally Reviews Pokemon
He didn't hold back.
Stephen A. Smith is known for his "A-List" and his "Stay Off the Weed" rants, but seeing him apply that same bombastic energy to Nintendo characters was something nobody actually expected to see on a professional broadcast. He looked at a picture of Meowth and basically treated it like a bench player for the Charlotte Hornets.
"I don't know what this thing is," he'd say, or he'd comment on the "lack of height" in certain lineups. It’s hilarious because he approaches it with the same gravitas he uses for LeBron James’ legacy. He isn't "playing a character" for the gamers—he’s just being Stephen A. That’s the magic.
When a fan asked him to choose a starter Pokemon, the internet held its collective breath. His choice? He went with the fire-type, obviously. The man thrives on "heat."
But the Stephen A. Smith Pokemon connection goes deeper than just one segment. It’s about the "First Take" style of debate entering the gaming world. For years, YouTubers like WolfeyVGC (a former World Champion) have used Stephen A.-style delivery to analyze competitive Pokemon. It’s a specific niche of the internet where high-level competitive play is treated with the intensity of an ESPN 30-for-30 documentary.
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Why the Internet Is Obsessed With This Crossover
Why does this work? Honestly, it’s the contrast.
Pokemon is often viewed through a lens of nostalgia or "cozy gaming." Stephen A. Smith is the literal embodiment of "Loud Sports Media." When you mix the two, you get content that appeals to 30-year-olds who grew up on Pokemon Red and now spend their mornings watching sports talk shows before work. It’s the ultimate demographic overlap.
- The memes are top-tier.
- People have made AI voice covers of Stephen A. roasting Ash Ketchum for his terrible tactical decisions in the Indigo League.
- The "scouting reports" for Mewtwo are genuinely better than some actual NBA analysis we see on TV.
If you’ve ever wondered what Stephen A. would say about Ash losing to Richie in the Kanto League, you’re not alone. He would call it an "unmitigated disaster" and a "blatant display of incompetence." He would question Ash’s leadership. He’d probably call out Pikachu for not being "clutch" in the fourth quarter.
The "Scouting Report" Culture
In the world of the Stephen A. Smith Pokemon phenomenon, we have to talk about the "Stephen A. Smith’s Pokemon Tier List." This isn't official, but the community has basically willed it into existence.
Think about it.
Machamp is clearly a "big man" who can dominate the paint. He’s got the four arms; he’s a defensive presence. Alakazam is the floor general, the point guard with a high IQ. Snorlax? Snorlax is the guy who shows up to training camp out of shape but still puts up 20 and 10 because he’s just that talented.
Fans have been flooding his social media feeds with these comparisons. It’s become a way for the gaming community to feel seen by mainstream media. Usually, sports pundits look down on gaming. They call it "sitting in the basement." But by engaging with the Pokemon questions, Stephen A. bridged a gap that most ESPN anchors wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
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It’s also a brilliant business move. The crossover between NBA fans and Pokemon fans is huge. Look at players like Tyrese Haliburton or the Lopez twins—these guys are huge nerds. They love this stuff. When Stephen A. talks Pokemon, he’s talking to the players, too.
How This Impacted Sports Media
We are seeing a shift. The Stephen A. Smith Pokemon moment proved that you don't have to stay in your lane anymore. If you have a brand as big as Stephen A.'s, you can talk about anything as long as you keep that same energy.
- It humanizes the "screaming head" on TV.
- It taps into a multi-billion dollar gaming industry.
- It creates "clippable" moments that live forever on TikTok and Reels.
Honestly, the way he dismissed some of the "cuter" Pokemon was peak television. He doesn't care about Jigglypuff’s song. He wants to know if you can win a championship. He wants to know if you have that "dog" in you. Or, in this case, that Arcanine in you.
The Legend of "Stay Off the Rare Candy"
The memes have evolved into their own language. "Stay off the Rare Candy" is the Pokemon version of his famous "Stay off the weed" catchphrase. It’s a warning to trainers who try to level up their Pokemon too fast without putting in the work in the tall grass.
It’s meta-commentary on the state of the game.
People are actually using his persona to critique the competitive Pokemon scene (VGC). When a specific Pokemon like Incineroar dominates the meta for years, fans use Stephen A. Smith's voice to complain about the "lack of parity" in the league. It sounds ridiculous because it is. But it’s also incredibly effective.
The Stephen A. Smith Pokemon trend shows no signs of slowing down because Pokemon is a "forever" franchise. It’s not a fad. And as long as Stephen A. is on the air, people will find ways to make him talk about Pikachu.
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What This Means for the Future of Gaming Content
We’re likely going to see more of this. Don't be surprised if you see more "traditional" celebrities interacting with gaming IPs in ways that aren't just paid sponsorships. This felt organic—even if it was prompted by a fan question.
It also highlights a limitation in how we view "experts." Is Stephen A. a Pokemon expert? Absolutely not. He probably couldn't tell a Bidoof from a Bibarel. But he is an expert in performance. And Pokemon, at its core, is a game of stats and performance.
When you look at the numbers, the engagement on the Stephen A. Smith Pokemon clips dwarfs almost all of his actual sports takes from the same week. That tells you everything you need to know about the power of the "nerd economy."
Actionable Takeaways from the Stephen A. Smith Crossover
If you’re a content creator or just a fan watching this unfold, there are a few things you can actually do to engage with this weird corner of the internet.
- Watch the original clips: Go to the Stephen A. Smith Show YouTube channel and search for his "Q&A" sessions. That’s where the gold is buried. He answers fan questions about everything from anime to dating, and the Pokemon stuff is a highlight.
- Follow the Meme Creators: Look for accounts on X and TikTok that specialize in "Sports Media Parody." They are the ones driving the "Stephen A. as a Pokemon Trainer" narrative.
- Understand the Meta: If you want to get the jokes, you kinda need to know the basics of both. You need to know why saying a Pokemon "isn't a superstar" is funny. It’s about the mismatch of tone.
- Engage with the "A-List": If you're a gamer, don't be afraid to cross-pollinate your interests. The most successful content right now is "hybrid" content that blends two seemingly unrelated worlds.
The Stephen A. Smith Pokemon phenomenon isn't going anywhere. It’s the perfect example of how 2020s culture works—chaotic, loud, and surprisingly wholesome. Whether he’s roasting a Snorlax for its work ethic or picking a Charmander because it "wants it more," Stephen A. Smith has accidentally become a legend in the Pokemon community.
To stay ahead of the next viral crossover, keep an eye on how traditional media figures interact with "fan" questions on their private podcasts. That’s where the real, unscripted moments happen. The days of strict "sports-only" or "gaming-only" content are over. We’re in the era of the mashup, and honestly, it’s a lot more fun this way.