#StephenASmith’s comments resurfaced following the NBA’s decision to remove marijuana from its banned substances list in 2023. “I consider weed a performance-enhancing drug,” said Smith. “Let me explain why. If you go out into the streets of America, believe it or not, these NBA players they next level, please don’t get me wrong, but you got some cats on the street, bad motherf–ers, they can really, really ball, they can play right? There’s two things they’re lacking that the professionals don’t.” “The level of discipline, night in, night out, based on committing yourself to whatever, and nerves. You can be a bada-s player, but the moment you get fidgety, weed helps subside that. Calms the nerves. No, those nerves are a part of it. It ain’t just your athletic ability, it’s your poise under pressure, it’s your nerves,” he added.