Stephen A. defends Joel Embiid's injury history, but Mad Dog's not giving him a pass 😳 | First Take

[@MarcHandyPetit-zc6pk]

the patience of mad dog to wait his turn just to disagree is top tier

[@soda8736]

And also thourgly cook Stephen A

[@blackcapone187]

@@soda8736 yeah he cooked him in this segment lol

[@hottakes2633]

Lol Mad Dog was absolutely cooking with that soliloquy.

[@ayodejitokunbo-salami2625]

He was spitting facts

[@jagr06]

Y'all are just kissing mad dog behind here, Embiid is not some other clown NBA player trying to skate games

[@OotoriKyouya]

@@jagr06 Look who's talking. You're kissing Embiid's behind LOL

[@Crow-me1er]

SOLILOQUY 😂😂😂😂 spot on broski!!!!

[@DannyMiller-e7l]

Mad dog is by far the best analyst on espn knows his stuff and great personality he should be permanent on first take

[@rich____eeeee410]

Mad dog was clutch w his take 😂💯

[@jimmydean9491]

mad dog dead knows more basketball then steven a smith lowkey even football too thats why he deserves to be more of a ful time participate

[@jagr06]

What clutch take? He's a baffoon on this take. All he people he compared while slamming Embiid were NEVER injured when getting those chips and had players around them hitting clutch shots. Embiid has to do everything himself.

[@rich____eeeee410]

@@jagr06 he’s still right tho my guy

[@jagr06]

@@rich____eeeee410 He's not, nothing he said was right about Embiid. He ignores everything SAS said about him always being injured that is beyond his control and dude was playing last year with a knee injury, Bells Palsy and a migraine and almost had a triple double in the playoffs yet y'all keep attacking this man claiming he doesn't want to play. Health comes first, dude has enough accolades to be in the hall of fame. Things will improve if PG13 keeps playing like this and Maxey returns playing like he does.

[@rich____eeeee410]

@ injuries apart of the game

[@jumpman5150]

Let OG Mad Dog cook!!!👨‍🍳 😂

[@Alex__LDN]

Talking straight FACTS!!!

[@caseycolby9783]

Mad Dog is absolutely right. Every point, spot on. Embid is part of the reason people don’t care about the NBA anymore.

[@baldeagle4710]

The only part of this video i agree with is when embiid said he’s a troll

[@BestintheWorld247]

But Kawhi is considered the Worst Superstar?

[@captainsimp8864]

Apparently and he's a two time champion compared to someone who hasn't done anything. Not to mention Kawhi has all time great historical performances as well

[@colinconner7030]

@@captainsimp8864 he does but Duncan led that spurs team throughout the season and I would say lowry, siakam, and vanvleet led that raptors team through the season. Kahwi showed out during the playoffs though

[@scottipippen6554]

With Kawhi, it is not only about his injuries and therefore not playing for years now when it matters the most. It is also about his behaviour as a franchise player. When it comes to represent and lead a franchise, he is most defineteley ever..

[@captainsimp8864]

@@scottipippen6554 Joel is not any better buddy. Not to mention has great choke jobs in the playoffs compared to Kawhi's historical performances in the playoffs

[@BLACKSTONEPOET]

I'm no SAS fan. I really don't like the guy. But when he says "the worst superstar" it's not just about being hurt, it's about marketability as well. Embid talks, has character ect....

[@shiningwizard202]

I feel no sympathy for a man who throws himself at the ground on purpose and then complains about injuries. Maxey deserves better than this part timer.

[@Koskely]

Respectfully, I don’t think he cares or needs your sympathy.

[@shiningwizard202]

@ don’t care, didn’t ask, take his meat out your mouth, he won’t see this

[@jimai808]

​@@Koskely respectfully, I don't think he cares or needs you defending him.

[@shiningwizard202]

@@Koskely don’t care, didn’t ask, get his meat out your mouth, he won’t ever see this

[@stxcks23]

Maxey is better

[@igotclampsonhof6288]

When Embiid does its fine keep that same energy with kawhi

[@bennyhath1789]

Not to mention he's a 2x finals mvp opposed to 1x mvp

[@AustinLoveArc]

They do. Where the hell you been?

[@ceo469]

Kawhi got 3 chips and a finals mvp

[@captainsimp8864]

​@@shiningwizard202can't tell is you are backing Kawhi up or not but if you are, it's just ridiculous that he talks the way he talks about a two-time championship. but then doesn't talk the same way about some else who's also known for their injuries and have done way less

[@ShutThePuck]

It's about expectations. Embiid came into the league the most injury prone player, the only thing we're sure of with him is that he will get injured. When it comes to not missing games there are higher expectations of Kawhi.

[@LaMasia108]

SAS is such a hypocrite why can’t he keep this same energy when it comes to kawhi who’s already won at a high level

[@JCool123]

Unfortunately according to him Kawhi doesn't market the games, brand, and his team.

[@michaelpatterson148]

Same reason he was always hated on Russ but stayed d-ridin cp0 all his career

[@mursuka80]

Stephen A still saying Embiid is more dominant than Jokic is comedy. This dude should not even talk basketball,

[@chitownkin]

Embiid and SAS are clearly friends. That was painful to listen to

[@aratliffe6]

exactly

[@baldeagle4710]

Kawhi’s contract is taking $50 million a year and flushing it down the toilet. So is Embiid’s

[@juicelord4792]

@@baldeagle4710Embiid can’t make it past the 2nd round, even losing to Kawhi while the 76ers had the most stacked team in the East. Embiid is being paid for his talent, not results. Kawhi is being paid for his results

[@baldeagle4710]

@@juicelord4792 he didn’t produce any results for the clippers

[@juicelord4792]

@@baldeagle4710 bruh, do you know how to read AND use comprehension, or you choose one or the other? I refuse to believe you’re that slow

[@donclarity]

SAS should be saying "Embiid should retire" like he did with kawhi smh

[@EfrainFragoso]

Embid was perfectly fine in the Olympics and now that the season started he’s hurt.

[@idread3523]

Fresh as a daisy

[@jagr06]

He's always been hurt my guess he was still taking medication for knee or maybe still had it in his system during the olympics or maybe something else happened after it ended.

[@universe-ie2mk]

He was hurt and sloppy then. Jokic makes embiid and th media look like a joke.

[@baldeagle4710]

Once he gets traded he will be healthy again

[@EfrainFragoso]

@@baldeagle4710 he has the James harden injury once traded he’s healthy 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Li_Yifei]

Jokic averaging 68.5 games per season Embiid averaging 48.2 games per season Lebron averaging 68.3 games per season

[@akshaysundaram7391]

You forgot Giannis (who people seem to ignore when he's clearly 2x better than Embiid)

[@oddballskull1941]

But derrick rose gets a pass

[@philipredford4552]

Jokic averages 75 a season.

[@jmichael91]

@@oddballskull1941ofc he do and so does all these guys, idk why people are shitting on people who are genuinely injured and still trying every chance they can to hoop, thats dedication, they could cash out and sit out, but we see Embiid at least try to get out there. Respect.

[@KClouisville]

@@philipredford4552 Yeah, I knew he was up higher than 68 games...the least amount of games he's played was 69 a couple years ago....every other year in nine full seasons he's been at 70+ or 80.

[@thekingofball2341]

The thing about Stephen A is that he always picks and choose who he wants to criticize and praise. You had all this energy for Kawhi but why not Embiid. Yes Kawhi is injury prone but at least he has the accolades to back it up when he’s healthy, Embiid on the other hand always crying, making excuses and throwing his teammates under the bus when he crumbles. Pathetic

[@samuraiteensy8004]

Every sports news guy does this. He has a Philly bias. He also has something against European players too. But he is not the only one who does this

[@rodneygaston1382]

Embid is a bumb _ people scared to say it & he's a wimp crying girl.. FACTZZZZ

[@dparks2856]

At least Emiid sales the game and speaks

[@kevothegoat9891]

@@dparks2856he be selling alright

[@zacharypaul4932]

He is a hypocrite ,and he has no integrity, so he says anything plus the people keeping listening to what he says, plus he gets paid 😂

[@dojo1371]

Now its crystal clear that SAS hate for Kawhi Leonard has nothing to do with basketball. I ts crazy ESPN let him get away with all the stuff he's said about that man

[@canineoa.2293]

True man, “when he’s on the court he is a monster” Kawhi is a 2x finals mvp and SAS just put hate on him

[@NotaPizzaGRL]

It's no surprise because someone at ESPN hates the Clippers.

[@thomascrowniii1693]

Kawhi has actually accomplished something but you don't keep that same energy for him. And the difference between Walton and Embiid is that Walton was healthy enough to be the best player on a team that WON a title.

[@AB_7092]

If Embiid is the best player on a team they will never win a championship. He’s like Westbrook

[@jarvissledge2530]

Thank you 😊

[@spenser6353]

@@jarvissledge2530kawhi won that championship because all the warriors were hurt.

[@RR-in7do]

​@@spenser6353Is an embiid stan really making a case based on "health"? 😂😂

[@KClouisville]

And even as a shell of himself was good enough to be Six Man Of The Year on another title team too.

[@professormilly2021]

Mad Dog talking that talk lmfao. I like Stephen A but he's talking about respecting that Embiid is always injured but he wants Kawhi to retire lol

[@jp23x]

Beyond me how anyone can respect SAS. He speaks so poorly of Kawhi, but gives Embiid a pass SMH

[@baldeagle4710]

Cause SAS is a hypocrite and a pseudo intellectual. Him being loud doesn’t mean he makes sense or has good arguments

[@jp23x]

@baldeagle4710 it's because embiid is relevant and kawhi isn't. He wants to be invited to the barbecue

[@LambSauceWill]

There's a guy in Denver that takes a beating all season and never complains about having a boo-boo. That's exactly why I can't take Embiid serious anymore

[@karna6634]

a guy on denver that embiid beat 6-2 record ? lol

[@alainpoteaujr7805]

​@@karna6634a guy in Denver Joel embid keep docking for years

[@mralexlex]

​@@alainpoteaujr7805yup, real 3x mvp, not 1x cry me a river mvp...

[@mralexlex]

​@@karna6634you're delusional

[@Mahadevax]

@@karna6634 Only thing Emfake fans can bring in to conversation, cope more 🤣

[@tristonwilson2221]

Shout out to Mad Dog for spitting str8 facts!

[@leafygreen2799]

Part-time player. He loves his stats and himself. Mad dog crushed it here.

[@ApoloWilliams]

Yes sir

[@Mmoray21]

31-9 in his last 40 games and he loves his stats? Yeah ok😂

[@kingkyrie5140]

Dude is a clown

[@juicelord4792]

⁠@@Mmoray21you forgot about the games he missed and his playoff record.

[@Mmoray21]

@@juicelord4792 what has that got to do with the point that he just cares about stats going 31-9 in his last 40 regular season games proves otherwise. Luka is 5-6 right now on career high attempts shooting 41% from the field and 33% from 3 and not one word about him just caring about stats. Taking a potential game tying 3 over kyrie and klay who are way better shooters and not one word but people have alot to say about someone that is 31-9 in his last 40 games make it make sense

[@zachbush6828]

5:26 😂😂😂😂 hit em with “fresh as a daisy 🌼 “ I’m weak😂

[@stackntax1308]

Star players have the power to get coaches fired but not the power to play in games they are told to not play lmaooo

[@kenkaneki1425]

Mad dog actually cooking this morning

[@JavierLopez-mx6bm]

No one ever gives kawhi that same energy.

[@antibrotha]

Bro bricked😂😂😂

[@GetEvenNotMad]

Aye he 1/2 from 3 that ain't bad man😂

[@theshadygodfather]

and the second shot? 💀

[@EG29602]

Ain’t his name Brick on that soap he on? 😂

[@IVANOOZE69]

Out of breath after 2 shots

[@Klokflako]

Thank you, Mad Dog! 🐩 😂

[@doritohero]

When the lights come on BONG BONG 😂

[@joshpeveto805]

He gets on Kawhi for not playing as much as any other person but when it comes to Embiid he's fine with it. Can't have it both ways SAS. Man up and say what everyone is thinking instead of trying to skate by it

[@NotebookLives]

Mad Dog is right. These modern-day players are soft. Bron is 40 and always plays when he isn’t hurt; more than a lot of these young superstars. 71 games last year. Hasn’t missed a game this season and said he plans on playing all 82. Embiid’s already denouncing B2Bs, and I find that despicable.

[@kingkyrie5140]

It just sets a terrible precedent for the league imagine the nba in 10 years reporters will be telling us star players didn’t come to the game because they needed a day off. You gotta get fined for missing games and you ain’t hurt

[@varunaX]

exactly. you dont play injured, but you do play when you are sore. hockey players, football players etc. they all play through pain. nba players take the night off whenever their toes are sore

[@mihirchitnis905]

Embid also becomes magically injured when he has to play in Denver 😅

[@northside8484]

And when jokic shows up in Philly Joel also magically drops 40 every time and the sixers win

[@anthonyb6842]

​@@northside8484EmDuck be ducking Jokic in Denver.

[@Mixer2904]

@@northside8484 Jokic defeated Joel in Philly two times, yet Embiid never came to Denver and never beat Jokic in his own house, last but not least Jokic has a ring, Embid never made it past the 2nd round.

[@Dr.Zoidberg_2914]

@@northside8484bro has a burner account to stick up for the biggest free throw merchant in nba history 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@northside8484]

@@anthonyb6842 I'm not denying that he hasn't played in Denver that's a fact but what's also a fact is the last 3 games vs jokic Joel had has 41 &10 ,47 &18 ,and 34 & 9 and won the games....

[@frankprovost]

"i'm a troll" is not something an adult should say yikes

[@leninfranco9328]

Exactly

[@soda8736]

Welcome to 2024

[@RR-in7do]

I'll give a 22 year old a break on acting childish. Man is 30 years old

[@Mixer2904]

Respect Mad Dog for saying that

[@Neofilmcritic]

Of course SAS defends Embiid, he always does. It’s straight pathetic and embarrassing

[@GolDHakl]

More proof that Stephen A just hates on Kawhi

[@k-notes5904]

LMAO the hypocrisy of SAS when comparing Embiid to Kawhi is ridiculous. How come he ain't saying nothing about Embiid should've sat out the Olympics to be able to healthy for the season? None of that eh.... Weakazzzz

[@DaFactsNoNonsense1713]

SAS is the hypocrite, you’ve known him to be from the start

[@baldeagle4710]

Yup. Embiid is just as bad as kawhi, if not worse cause he’s never been past the second round

[@DaFactsNoNonsense1713]

@ Kawhi’s a champion + he’s obviously not sitting out on-purpose

[@Whyypreeeeeeeeee]

Mad dog being the voice of reason is definitely well needed here. Embiid hasn't done anything besides win the MVP to be put with the great center's of all time. He hasn't done anything with his team(s) and won't do anything either

[@macmac6064]

SAS doesnt understand that Jokic's play is to avoid "getting hurt" and not about being flashy and you know "not getting hurt wins a chip"

[@CASHHUNNIDS]

Embiid gotta go I know ppl gone say it’s a reach but Ben Simmons can’t get all the blame no more the process is over

[@sheilaatif6906]

Exactly

[@sedohema]

You're late to the party, Process was over 5 years ago.

[@CASHHUNNIDS]

@ I didn’t even realize it was this bad dawg💯

[@stxcks23]

Sixers should blow it up Embum was never a championship player

[@kingkyrie5140]

I been said they should trade him while he still has value and isn’t hurt too late for that

[@PuffySofty]

When the light went on...*BONG* *BONG* 🤣

[@tj-23]

Stephen a don’t have this same energy with Kawhi Leonard who is actually a champion and got out of the second round in his career

[@coreydon7097]

Kawhi must not F with Stephen A behind the scenes because there's no way you call him the worst superstar in the history of sports because he's always injured yet he defends Embiid with every fiber of his body for literally being injured every year, smh 🤦🏾‍♂

[@George-gf5xs]

Embiid is looking to hibernate, a bag of Cheetos and a extra long sofa

[@darleneharris5105]

I just wish that the Sixers would trade Embiid, Iam sick of him, from a Sixers fan.

[@eric02156]

@darleneharris5105 He is Not going to be traded .. You don't even sound like a Sixers fan.. Troll!

[@darleneharris5105]

@eric02156 Iam not a troll, Iam from Philly.

[@frankprovost]

it looks miserable to be a sixers fan

[@eric02156]

@darleneharris5105 Doesn't matter .. You don't sound like a Sixers fan . I would know ! I grew up in NJ and Philly area...i have seen the Sixers win the 1983 chip and go to multiple NBA finals from '77 to '83. From Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer , Cunningham, World bee Free, Mcginnis, Collins, Bibby , Bobby Jones, Andrew Toney , Mo "Chocolate Chip" Cheeks, Barkley, Malone, Dr J, AI, E-Snow , Mtummbo, Etc.. before the Process yrs to now.. Long time Sixers and Philly teams fan.

[@eric02156]

@@frankprovost Not to me because I have witnessed and seen the Sixers for many years when they were at the Top with great players during my lifetime...I don't know what you have experienced on that level with your team!

[@nicobean5064]

I always agree with mad dog on the basketball stuff he keep it 💯 a lot

[@magikofficial1912]

Lmfaoooo the opening scene was gold let’s get SAS jump shots in the morning priceless 😂

[@justinlong5589]

Mad Dog owned this segment!!

[@hulkhaze3038]

WELL SAID MAD DOG!!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 FACTS!!!!

[@damion30]

Fresh as a daisy!! I love Mad Dog!! 😂

[@RR-in7do]

Never put Embiid in the same sentence as Bill Walton.

[@Floetron]

Here for Mad DOGG!!

[@aratliffe6]

thanks for the honesty mad dog

[@BoomBap75]

Embiid was "Fresh as a Daisy"during the Olympics 😂😂

[@wezob4569]

Stephen A: Bang! Clanks it off the rim lol

[@DMonsterr]

Mad Dogg cooked Stephen a smith finally someone telling the truth about Philly 🔥🔥🔥

[@StonerKitchen]

Mad Dog is cooking!!! SAS has a quasimodo jumper🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@WrldWideWiz]

Mad dog snapped on this one

[@ervgotti130]

Mad dog is 110% correct on this one! SAS has this one 110% WRONG!

[@benburnside5049]

The Fresh as a Daisy comment by Mad Dog was priceless

[@abrasive-grandma]

That's why we respect Anthony Edward 🔥🔥🔥

[@Dmm314]

Doggy’s take was A1 and couldn’t have said it better myself.

[@DasherJ99]

Anyone know the name of the song at the ending?

[@samsclub2435]

GOTTA LOVE MAD DOG 😂😂

[@whacc_]

doggie spittin straight facts

[@JasonJohnson184]

Thats why I never take Stephen A Smith seriously. He criticized Kawhi, and rightfully so, but at the same time he keeps on making excuses for Joel Emblid.

[@chnomtra531]

SAS should be consistent with his comments on players' injuries. Joel and Kawhi have long history of injuries and yet he keeps on questioning Kawhi's injury while giving Joel a pass. Unbelievable!

[@shareofmoney]

If you're Stephen A., you cant give Embiid a pass for his injury history but bash Kawhi Leonard for his history. Its unfair and comes off as hypocritical.

[@kelshot]

You forgot he attacked a reporter

[@TheBigdan217]

Being a part timer in the NBA is crazy

[@CSmoothh]

"When them lights came on BONG BONG" 😂

[@toucheyang89]

Max actually spot on here.

[@jamaalhooks8256]

Lmao Stephen A was almost winded putting up those shots 😂😂

[@ShutThePuck]

Russo is spot on

[@varunaX]

sas just 1 on 1 with mad dog is such a better format and tv than when he has all his friends on.

[@mrmaxxx94]

Bill Walton won a chip early on and made a name for himself, Joel Embiid is a part time Big man and a settler. his mental aspect of his game never goes another gear when he is playing

[@garrtrigger]

I could watch Mad Dog rant about the Sixers and Embiid all day.

[@patientzero291]

I wish a team owner try tanking indirectly by paying all 12 competitive players minimum contracts and give the rest as bonus salary to match the minimum nba salary bottom.

[@isiahdaley477]

SAS jumpshot is diabolical 😂😂😂

[@jso19801980]

imagine MJ saying, (shrug) i want to play but its up to them

[@fidelhernandez3888]

Agree 100 % with mad dog

[@BabylonGateLA]

Flipper fans going to be mad and sensitive about this one 😂😂😂😂

[@ezmoneyzz]

W Mad Dog take, Embiid should not be mentioned in the same sentence as Jokic

[@gregorydunston2952]

Mad Dog was COOKIN on this segment

[@longchieh83]

Mad Dog straight up murdered SAS in this segment

[@benlee4573]

SAS is so hypocritical. Last year he went ballistic about players not playing enough games due to “load management” and they couldn’t receive awards/max or super max contracts because of not meeting the threshold. But when Embiid purposely misses games SAS gives him a pass because he’s recognized as one of the best players in the league when really he’s done nothing but get bounced out in the first or second round. Embiid has done nothing to deserve to miss games.

[@Cb_30]

Y cant they just play 20 mins in those back to backs. Come off the bench at each 5:00 minute mark.

[@ronf.2029]

76ers and Bucks are lucky to be in the east. They could still be in the play-in even with worst start.

[@anthonyganttmusic4805]

No, he's not! Thank you Mad Dog

[@MyName-eu5zg]

They also be hurting Embiid the elbow shot by the Raptors, the headbutt in this game and more so it's not just that he gets hurt they low key attack him.

[@Bradcheney]

If embiid gets a pass for all his injuries than so does Ben Simmons for his time in Philly and Brooklyn , Kawhi gets a pass for his injuries which all started when the golden state warriors center intentionally injured him. If.these players are so injured they should have the same clauses in there contracts as Zion he only gets a portion of his salary for this year if he plays a certain number of games

[@jkj03_]

OG was talking that💩😂

[@Hoop_Stats_Official]

That one game in 5 months must have been tough on Embiid

[@naveb]

Nah I hope they never get rid of Mad Dog 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chrismyco7950]

i don't get why SAS take this position with embiid who can't get out the 2nd round, but Kawhi who has two finals MVP never gets the same grace.

[@Mixer2904]

Imagine saying I will come to work every other day, just because I don't feel like working every day from monday till friday

[@SecretSocietyTV]

Lmao fresh as a daisy

[@DavidBaggaShorts]

1000% agree with mad dog. Embiid doesn’t deserve to be on the superstar level with Jokic and Giannis. Dude basically begged the media for the mvp award in 2023. Seems like he cares more about trolling everything more than actually playing and competing 👀

[@daveczarnik6017]

Oh you’re still mad

[@FabsOrtega-mn8mg]

What about Kawhi?! Sounds familiar yet different.