Jessica Smetana Bullied A Psyop Off The Internet? | Hour 3

LeBron James didn't just become the most famous athlete on Earth — he became one of its most careful, and occasionally most explosive, political voices. In the most contentious episode of our LeBron series, Dan, Amin and Izzy trace the moments that turned a basketball player into a lightning rod: The Trayvon Martin hoodie photo — and Dan's own take on it at the time, warts and all. The killing of Tamir Rice, and the "I Can't Breathe" shirt that, in the moment, didn't include his name. The ESPYs speech. The White House years, plural. The Bubble. And the legacy that's still being argued over, for better or worse. With firsthand memories from Jemele Hill and Cari Champion, plus a LeBron teammate history conveniently forgot. Homework for this episode: • "Reaction to tragic killing shows growth of LeBron" (The Miami Herald, 2012) • "Kevin Durant x LeBron James x Cari Champion" (Uninterrupted, 2018) • "Trump Attacked Black Athletes — and Paid for It in the End" (The Atlantic, 2020) • "LeBron James Doesn’t Talk About Politics Anymore" (New York, 2022) Encouraged homework for next week's season finale: • "There's Always This Year" by Hanif Abdurraqib (2025) More from "The Step Back": • Episode 1: The Chosen One (feat. Sonny Vaccaro) • Episode 2: The Decision (feat. Jim Gray) • Episode 3: I'm Coming Home (feat. Iman Shumpert) • Episode 4: LeBron Inc. (feat. Pablo Torre) • Don't miss an episode — subscribe here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"The key is always under the mat." Jess settles some of the biggest show debates from throughout the week about donuts, forks and knives, Robin, and musical instruments before revealing she may have been part of a cyber-bullying campaign. Plus, the crew drums up enthusiasm for tonight's biggest American soccer game in... an indeterminate amount of time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"That's a fact, Jack." Dan dry humps Jeremy. Then, because he loves us almost as much as he loves himself, Greg expands his Top 60 catchphrase list to a Top 70 and explains the perfect bacon. Also, we finally learn who dropped the donut in the commissary, and Dan CRUSHES the NBA media for avoiding discussing the punishment Kawhi Leonard should receive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I'm going to the movie with the old lady..." JuJu is 1% Mexico and ready for a big World Cup run, has a suggestion for movie-theater candy, and has a Top 5 TV Shows To Watch Right Now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Folk Boston." The Marlins just wrapped up the best month in franchise history. How? Plus, we have the potential for a truly EPIC World Cup match that includes condoms full of urine, and the crew breaks down the definition of "Sicilian Pizza." Also, Mike and Jeremy are continuing their war with the Boston Media after new accusations have been levied against them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Have you been paying attention for the last 35 minutes?" Dan and Zaslow have finally reached a conclusion: The Miami Heat are the best option for LeBron James, the Miami Heat will pursue LeBron James, and LeBron will choose the Miami Heat. Dan, Zaslow, Greg, and the Shipping Container explain why the odds are potentially in Miami's favor. Plus, we empty the file on the greatest free agent signing of all-time for the Florida Panthers, Sergei Bobrovsky, as the Panthers move on from Bob. Today's cast: Dan, Zaslow, Greg, Roy, Chris, Jeremy, Mike, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are on the eve of the US Men's National Team taking on Bosnia in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Mike Ryan and Tom Bogert of The Athletic are here to preview the match for you. The two discuss what to expect from Bosnia as an opponent, whether any players who featured in the loss to Turkiye will have an impact tomorrow night, and what Christian Pulisic can provide after his cameo in the final game of the group stage. It's one of the biggest games in the history of the USMNT, and this is the breakdown you need to prepare yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"No. Pay cut? No, no, no, no, no." Have the Celtics handled the Jaylen Brown situation disrespectfully? Did the Heat bring back a piece of a duo that combined for 100 points in a game? Plus, Jeremy's observations from yesterday's show at the end of today's show, Liam Neeson's best comedy, and The Polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Sí." Should we be happy with the upsets in the World Cup? Is an audience or a Pulitzer more valuable? Does Will Ferrell look better naked than Dan does? What will you remember Clint Eastwood for? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I don't wanna be the worst." What is the worst name in sports? Are Penalty Kicks the best way to decide a tie game? Is Ja Morant actually going to help the Blazers? Does Kawhi Leonard make the Raptors an immediate title contender? Can you have a cacophony of picks? Is Jeff Pearlman right to call Michael Strahan a coward? Support 'The Kyra Fund' for urgently needed research for individuals with glioblastomas: ⁠fundraise.gbmresearch.org/thekyrafund⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices