Stephen A. Smith Says He Would've Convicted O.J. Simpson: “And I’m Not Even a Lawyer!”

Stephen A. Smith says he would've gotten the better of Johnnie Cochran in the courtroom, and convicted O.J. Simpson.

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Complex Original

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Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith's shtick—which could actually end as early as Tuesday due to Skip's impending departure from ESPN at the end of the NBA Finals—includes saying goofy, off-the-wall, and frequently unverifiable shit in order to attract eyeballs to their inexplicably passionate debates on ESPN First Take. Their arguments are usually pointless, undoubtedly manufactured, and are typically the first exhibit people point to as evidence that ESPN is a network that has been flushed down the crapper. That being said, they also have a great gig if you think about it. Making millions to talk sports? We'd take it (and the endless amount of criticism that comes along with it!).

On Monday morning, the duo talked about Saturday night's premiere of O.J.: Made in America, the first of a five-part series about everything O.J. Simpson. Smith started the convo with a long speech about the 1996 trial, which initially appeared to be pretty thoughtful. But then, he concluded the segment by making what very well may be his cockiest claim yet. Stephen A. said he thinks he would have—welp—convicted O.J., despite not having a law degree.

Piping hot take here:

"I have profound respect for the late Johnnie Cochran, God rest his soul—it might be the cockiest thing that I've ever said—Christopher Darden and Marcia Clark did an absolutely horrendous job as prosecutors. Because if it were me...there's no way in hell Johnnie Cochran would've beaten me with that evidence that they had. I'm telling you right now, and I'm not even a lawyer, there is no way that you would've put 12 jurors in front of me, with that evidence, and I would've lost, even to Johnnie Cochran. I would've won that trial."

At the time of the trial, Stephen A. was an NBA columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Why the Los Angeles County DA didn't reach out to him to represent the prosecution remains one of life's great mysteries.

Watch the clip above to see Stephen A. talk about how he would have beaten Cochran.

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