LeBron is Showing Kawhi He’s Back and Deserves to be MVP
Stephen A. Smith argues that LeBron James is the NBA MVP so far this season with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Max Kellerman makes the case for LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard.
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First Take: Kevin Durant Talks Warriors and more
Last week on ESPN’s First Take, the popular morning debate show featuring Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman and host Molly Qerim Rose, NBA superstar Kevin Durant joined the show. He discussed the chances of his return to the court this season, the impact the Draymond Green situation had on his departure from the Golden State…
LeBron or Kawhi: Who Will be the King of Los Angeles? | First Take
Stephen A. Smith picks LeBron James to be the King of Los Angeles by the end of the season and Max Kellerman chooses Kawhi Leonard ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers’ opener against the L.A. Clippers.
Stephen A. Calls for the Lakers to be Ranked Higher | First Take
Stephen A. Smith takes issue with the Los Angeles Lakers being ranked fourth among ESPN’s NBA title contenders, but Max Kellerman likes Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers being ranked atop the list.
Carmelo Never had the Teams LeBron, Dwyane Wade had | First Take
Carmelo Anthony talks with Stephen A. Smith about the rumors of him possibly joining forces with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat in 2010, and how close he got to joining Derrick Rose on the Chicago Bulls. (1:50) Carmelo also discusses not playing on championship-caliber teams like LeBron and D-Wade had. (3:29)…
KD Was ‘Hell-Bent’ on Proving He Has Heart
Stephen A. Smith reports that Kevin Durant wanted to prove critics wrong by playing Game 5 despite being advised by former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kendrick Perkins not to play. #FirstTake
Magic Johnson Says Lakers GM was ‘Backstabbing’
Magic Johnson explains that he wanted to fire Luke Walton, but Los Angeles Lakers executive Tim Harris wanted to retain him and identifies Lakers GM Rob Pelinka as the “backstabber.”
Stephen A.: Westbrook Wants to Silence His Critics
Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman break down Russell Westbrook’s end-of-season comments, both agreeing that the criticism against Westbrook is valid, especially after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Stephen A. says Westbrook simply can’t compare to the other greats in the NBA and Max points out his shooting as…