Matt Barnes has interviewed a wide array of notable figures on his "All the Smoke" podcast, but he identified his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant as the most impactful guest. Barnes, a co-host of the podcast alongside Stephen Jackson, told the California Post that Bryant stands out above presidents and Hall of Famers.
Barnes and Jackson launched "All the Smoke" in 2019. The podcast has become a platform for candid discussions with athletes and cultural figures. Barnes noted that Bryant's appearance was particularly significant as it was one of the legendary Lakers' final extended interviews before his death in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.
Barnes stated his intention for the interview was to humanize Bryant and move beyond the public persona associated with the "Mamba Mentality." He believes they succeeded in presenting a more relatable side of Bryant to the audience.
"I’ve been blessed to be in this media space and interview the best of the best," Barnes said. "I love it. Continuing to learn more about the people I admire and showing our audience the same thing."
While Barnes has since interviewed other prominent figures, including former President Barack Obama, he maintains that Bryant holds a unique and unparalleled place among his guests. For Barnes, Bryant, known as the "Black Mamba," remains the ultimate guest.
