Why Stephen A. thinks the Lakers' championship window is still open 👀 | First Take

Why Stephen A. thinks the Lakers' championship window is still open 👀 | First Take
On First Take, Stephen A. Smith, Harry Douglas and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo join Molly Qerim to discuss LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers.
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[@dangerapple]

SAS is 0 for 27 with his “expert” Analysis 😂😂😂😂

[@lordbeerus6182]

Cap he did get the gs win right so 1 for 27

[@benitofranklyn4237]

hahaha I'd say more like 0 for 270, but that's only a rough estimate

[@PetrodollarDealEndedSoWakeUp]

ONLY LOSER, LEBRON-LOWERED-THE-STANDARDS, casual zero IQ sheeple 🐑CELEBRATE CONSECUTIVE 👀🚩🚩🚩 👎🏽 LAST SECOND WINS… IN GAMES THAT DON’T EVEN COUNT 🚫🧠🫵🏽🔑‼️ IDIOCRACY CONFIRMED. He’s better than DeAndre Jordan though. We’ll give you that. NOT EVEN TOP 5 ALL-TIME. KOBE ISN’T THE GOAT BUT HE’S CLOSER THAN LeBALCO 💊💉🫵🏽🙄

[@PetrodollarDealEndedSoWakeUp]

ONLY LOSER, LEBRON-LOWERED-THE-STANDARDS, casual zero IQ sheeple 🐑CELEBRATE CONSECUTIVE 👀🚩🚩🚩 👎🏽 LAST SECOND WINS… IN GAMES THAT DON’T EVEN COUNT 🚫🧠🫵🏽🔑‼️ IDIOCRACY CONFIRMED. He’s better than DeAndre Jordan though. We’ll give you that. NOT EVEN TOP 5 ALL-TIME. KOBE ISN’T THE GOAT BUT HE’S CLOSER THAN LeBALCO 💊💉🫵🏽🙄

[@fyntc1796]

@@lordbeerus6182 prolly 2 twice I believe

[@leetraviusmckay314]

"AD cleaning the glass like a fresh bottle of Windex" 😂

[@mr3000sr]

Someone said that before

[@evilminions00]

sum body already said that young blood

[@leetraviusmckay314]

@@evilminions00 late response Russian bot 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@evilminions00]

@@leetraviusmckay314 awww u disappointed young blood?

[@leetraviusmckay314]

@@evilminions00 u still lost to the Nuggets 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@precision_t]

Lebron averages 6.4 shoulder shrugs a game

[@Damian-xq2ib]

😂

[@focuz4899]

That's 12.8 points

[@flightkidd123]

That’s why he’s better than Jordan

[@MinLeeMajors]

​@@flightkidd123 DeAndre Jordan...but in fairness,he doesn't play much

[@xKingKB7x]

😂😂

[@tjg_23]

Mission Impossible: ESPN talking about other NBA teams than the Lakers

[@user-ll4wu3kb2m]

Well inbreds like you still comment, you literally paid them with this comment lol

[@tadeokrzos2550]

Especially over the defending champs Celtics. Smh. I guess the in season tour is more important than the NBA championship lmao since the Lakers won it.

[@scruffd0g193]

Because ESPN knows they are screwed without LeBron.

[@user-ju1rv5pc3h]

ESPN not allowed to talk about nothing else. What you expect it’s own by Disney!!!!

[@315giants]

fox sports is way better ftf is better then first take imo

[@filtrotp40]

When Molly is quiet, you get to actually listen to the insane things that SAS says.

[@JayFaulk-q3f]

You do know her job is to talk right?

[@zyxtrr]

⁠@@JayFaulk-q3fher job is to NOT talk when other people are speaking

[@patrickgattiker9765]

@@JayFaulk-q3f She’s supposed to host and move the segments along, not interrupt the analysts

[@Cagolapedna]

The failing of the Nightmare Team is coming.

[@JayFaulk-q3f]

@@zyxtrr That's exactly her job is. Her job is to moderate and move the conversation along. Just say you hate women incel

[@idlp1679]

“Have you heard of Sam jones” 😂😂😂

[@BoricuaFlavored]

At this point they'd say ANYTHING, no wonder their ratings are trash.

[@GeoDude24]

As a reasonable Lakers fan, I would like anyone who thinks the Lakers can win a title with this roster to check themselves into rehab. Edit. Some of you are so corny and Insecure, it's crazy.

[@DanielCombs-qf8iu]

let's not forget the fact their is a strong possibility AD is out due to injury at minimum 20-25 games and that's probably being nice

[@jr1049]

We gonna make some trades we gonna be fine

[@MinLeeMajors]

I'm a long time Laker fan... we have ZERO chance.... we picked up Bronny for goodness sake!!

[@Ivmeister_]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Longlive24]

I’m a real laker fan and it’s true they have an opportunity but it’s a long shot

[@cartert6744]

4:16 “have you ever heard of Sam Jones” - Mad Dog 😂😂 classic smh

[@Bobbyd188]

Playing a handful of games in the summer vs an 82-game schedule and a post-season against elite talent is not the same

[@mr.joshua6818]

Why do they use a picture of Austin in a jersey? 😂

[@Ryan-ld2nj]

AD playing 76 games last season makes him a lock for missing 30+ this coming season.

[@benitofranklyn4237]

Absolutely, I couldn't tell you what is less likely to happen: Stephen A. making sense, LeOld and Always Defect playing more than 50 games or the Lakers winning the Championship 🤔

[@austingreen1274]

Lakers win on playoff game and remain the same over the summer… “They’re contenders because their best players dominate a totally different context!”

[@benitofranklyn4237]

You sir, just got an A+ for handing in such a great summary. Also LeOld and Always Defect would have to manage to play more than 50 games next season.

[@SilverRpr]

Flip flopping at its finest. Just two weeks ago S.A was saying they not even making the play-in. 🤡

[@johnpu605]

well, since then Brownie joined, so that changed the whole landscape

[@pmontyjaaaymes488]

​@@johnpu605Or maybe hes seen how Lebron is performing and he's changing his mind. It happens.

[@SilverRpr]

Lebron has consistently been performing this way… it’s nothing new. The flip flop was due to the make up the team. No shooters, players coming up short, AD… D-Lo, all the injuries etc.

[@DEYLINER]

Notice when that CONTRACT was GIVEN...his take, CHANGED like a MF....😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FundamentalCoaching1996]

Yeah Yeah, Lakers will be in Cancun

[@mr.perfect1749]

Facts and Steven A Smith will use the age excuse again

[@FundamentalCoaching1996]

Frfr ​@@mr.perfect1749

[@mr.anderson3694]

Bronny will probably be at D&B.

[@FundamentalCoaching1996]

@@mr.anderson3694 👏👏😁😁

[@jaredlopez9483]

typical espn NBA season will start the lakers will be garbage but you will still cover them as if they are the first seed and forget about the other 29 franchises in the league

[@Matt52493]

Zero chance AD plays 76 games for a second year in a row.

[@mr.joshua6818]

Probably right

[@back2back379]

Definitely take the under bet on that

[@nydibs]

Doubt Lebron players over 55 either

[@BrodRien-li5uu]

88 games

[@Dma118]

AD got lebrons ped stack he never breaking again

[@BTAKVE]

Thank god one of these “analysts” called out AD playing at his real position and the play of Dwight and Javale

[@JayFaulk-q3f]

LeBron has a better chance of spreading wings and flying away than winning another championship 😂

[@mr.joshua6818]

🎵If I had wings I would fly, let me contemplate. I glanced in the cut and I see my homie Nate 🎶

[@benitofranklyn4237]

There's a better chance of Magic and Kareem returning than LeOld and Always Defect managing to play more than 50 games next season

[@JayFaulk-q3f]

@@mr.joshua6818 🤣🤣🤣

[@Max-ys3xg]

@@benitofranklyn4237 ok what bruh? i can see AD but lebron has only played less than 50 games 1 season since 2020 and that was cuz solomon hill dove for his ankles in 2021.

[@IllustriousForLife]

Don’t forget lebron never plays more than 55 games per season sonce joining the Lakers. LOL also at Steve A Smith calling AD a superstar when everyone calls him Streetclothes

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

The Lakers have no championship window. Not with them hiring the unproven JJ Reddick as coach. Not with them wasting a potential roster spot to placate LeBron by drafting his below average son. And not with a squad that needed several breaks to even make the play-in game last year, that's was with a healthy AD. Besides, the West is far too stacked.

[@Dma118]

JJ and Bronny are the biggest wildcards with most potential. Check the script, Lebron will be winning a championship with his son

[@benitofranklyn4237]

LeOld and Always Defect healthy next season? You are still being to nice sir.

[@bruceleeroy2050]

Preach on 💯

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

@@Dma118 You claim JJ and Bronny have the most potential based on what exactly? Neither has done anything to inspire belief yet.

[@marcusg1021]

This man said Errol the Pearl 💀

[@marcusg1021]

We know he was. It's just funny that he brought him up out of nowhere.

[@09lowkey]

Earl Monroe was one of the best guards of his era.

[@1stnamebr406]

How?????

[@coledwrld7]

LeBron and AD need more help. Pelinka got no one to take some load off of them.

[@Dma118]

Nobody wants to go there and be their scapegoat

[@benitofranklyn4237]

LeOld and Always Defect need help staying healthy first 😅

[@Doppekidd88]

This is hilarious 😂

[@Dagame51]

Last year sas was saying LeBron and the lakers won’t win another ring. Now he’s saying the window is still open…

[@Jdcjr1991]

Thank you for letting me know I ain’t trippin

[@geovanguzman111]

@dagame51 you do realize 2 things can be true right?

[@thediseaseisthecure]

@@geovanguzman111 you do realize 2 things that are polar opposites cannot be true right?

[@Jdcjr1991]

@@geovanguzman111 how can 2 things be true when he said they won’t win another championship but then say their championship window is open. That don’t even make sense

[@xKingKB7x]

@@Jdcjr1991They wasn’t going to win last year cuz they ran into Denver. But they still can win this year. 2 things can be true

[@nolanfonseca6914]

Please ESPN I beg you to stop pushing the Lakers us. They’ve been nothing more than a middle of the pack team since the bubble and only get coverage because of Lebron.

[@KevyB.]

Well get out of here and go watch videos about your Pistons

[@whatwhat9004]

NO. You need the Lakers being pushed in your face. Eat it up like your girls furry kitty

[@nolanfonseca6914]

@@KevyB. na I’ll stick around and let them know how I feel

[@BristolBerg]

We are going based on how Bron is doing at the Olympics. If he brings home gold and lead like how he is doing rn, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt that he has a chance at going to the finals. He is that great…..at 40.

[@Mcfarmerboy]

Stop watching and writing comments then

[@theonlygus]

ESPN never fails to make every single day of their lives about the Lakers

[@benitofranklyn4237]

I couldn't tell you what is less likely to happen: Stephen A. stops talking about the Lakers or LeOld and Always Defect stay healthy for more than 50 games next season

[@crazyman8472]

What is Stephen A smoking, and where can I get some? 😜

[@kristianFL]

They’re the Champions of the Play-in Tournament.

[@benitofranklyn4237]

😅😂🤣

[@TraJonR3D]

Stephen A., really needs to hit the comedy scene.. just absolutely Hi-larious! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@George-gf5xs]

Larry Bird for Greatest shooter is my vote

[@Hunt9-qb1if]

Facts

[@bam7099]

Germany and South Sudan are not the Nuggets or Celtics 😂. The heck is he chattin about

[@thesilentphotographertv]

javale and dwight really played a big part for that lakers championship.

[@mrdmajor]

"The analytics team found that if Stephen A. Smith states the Lakers can win a championship we'll increase engagement and ratings" -ESPN July "The analytics team found that if Stephen A. Smith states the Lakers can't win a championship we'll increase engagement and ratings" -ESPN March

[@benitofranklyn4237]

You sir, actually did some great analytics right here. November: The Lakers medical staff found that LeOld and Always Defect won't be able to play more than 50 games this season.

[@kwametabiri9501]

FIBA rules suit Lebron and AD. NBA rules, not so much

[@benitofranklyn4237]

Having to stay healthy for 82 games neither 😅

[@theposterking3553]

Lakers 3-15 arent good enough. I bet Boston loved M. Smart. But made hard choices. Reeves not going nowhere. He there white horse.

[@Kipmoney_]

Man make up your mind one week they done the next week they a contender, team has made no moves. Y’all flaky asl

[@benitofranklyn4237]

Absolutely, I couldn't tell you what is less likely to happen: Stephen A. making sense, LeOld and Always Defect playing more than 50 games or the Lakers winning the Championship

[@denisako6493]

Nonsense everyone is forgetting they are playing far less minutes per game in these exhibition games

[@benitofranklyn4237]

Also LeOld and Always Defect would have to manage to play more than 50 games next season.

[@roar35232]

remember when austin accidentally threw the ball at bron, and bron turned around it

[@GamefaceSport]

LeBron is the point guard but you blame Dlo for the point guard play? Can’t have it both ways.

[@DavidBagga]

They made no moves in the off season except for hiring a coach with no nba experience and that coached kids and drafted a players son to play alongside his dad. 👀 #MakeItMakeSense

[@christianbagnall3189]

they don’t got the team around them

[@benitofranklyn4237]

Also LeOld and Always Defect would have to manage to play more than 50 games next season.

[@nsd_respect]

Molly is on her best behavior today.

[@FundamentalCoaching1996]

@@nsd_respect 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Dimesprodz]

I noticed

[@Kobiyashi77]

you're welcome fr... i had a talk with her no cap

[@icetray2727]

Producers must’ve told her to stop interrupting people while making their argument.

[@Frank-nz1wr]

@@Kobiyashi77thanks gang 🙏

[@BabylonGateLA]

Little buddy say don’t forget about the Sacramento Queens meanwhile he said the Lakers are not contenders 😂😂😂 Clueless mane 🤣🤣

[@raphaelmckinney]

Lakers last two years: 1.) WCF 2.) First Round How is playing with ALL STARS showing anything? What is the Olympics showing us that the NBA SZN and NBA playoffs didn't?

[@benitofranklyn4237]

I couldn't tell you what is less likely to happen: Stephen A. starts making sense or LeOld and Always Defect manage to stay healthy for more than 50 games next season.

[@user-sg3hv6nr6s]

Yo this guy Stephen a smith just says what he sees stop watching this show he just be talking last year the window was closed last year tho makes zero sense he gets me mad

[@benitofranklyn4237]

I couldn't tell you what is less likely to happen: Stephen A. making sense, LeOld and Always Defect playing more than 50 games or the Lakers winning the Championship

[@BaithNa]

Lebron and AD can be great but their roster is still terrible. They'll be lucky to make the play in tournament this year.

[@itsraymusic]

It’s what happens when you let a guy force a team to trade players and assets for six seasons straight lol. Let alone around a guy whose style is not conducive to winning consistently.

[@christopherwarburton1889]

That's the key, the roster isn't as good as it should be!

[@skaterockerstar]

Their roster is fine. Their issue last year was poor coaching and the lack of interior defense. The players they brought in to make an impact are more healthy with a coach who seems to be dedicated to the xo's.

[@Christopher._M]

Their roster isn't terrible. Just not comparable to the top rosters. And Lebron is old so he can't play a full post season 35-45 minutes a night and will his team to victories.

[@DanielCombs-qf8iu]

they probably be floating between 8-10 seed for most of the year after 30-40 games or so

[@Nyualum21]

as a Laker fan i can tell you, the Lakers have zero shot of winning next year.

[@djsausagebiscuits]

ESPN could just talk about the summer Olympics... a once in 4 years opportunity, but they are stuck on Lakers and Cowboys whether there is news or not.

[@tadeokrzos2550]

Sorry Stephen A. But it's over.

[@benitofranklyn4237]

The chance of Stephen A. accepting it's over for the Lakers, is about as high as them winning a championship

[@dennisgreene2544]

The Lakers,window is close! Watch😢

[@user-fh4kt2ct2u]

Mannn I love ole Doggy. Sometimes he’s too real but that’s what makes him must see TV

[@HamNo3guards]

Crazy how people forget we had the biggest upgrade: getting rid of Ham

[@Bleax]

Start of the laker glazing for next season already

[@benitofranklyn4237]

I couldn't tell you what is less likely to happen: Stephen A. stops hyping up the Lakers or LeOld and Always Defect staying healthy for more than 50 games.

[@malcolm6107]

lmaooo

[@nikhiltrivedi8126]

Bron and AD still the best duo in the league 4 years later !!

[@tkh525]

2 first round knockouts, a sweep, and not making the playoffs. That’s what makes you the best duo in the league?

[@nikhiltrivedi8126]

@@tkh525 why are you listing team accomplishments ? Winning requires a competent front office , coach , and role players too . This isn’t 2 v 2. They’re both top 10 players in the world still , name a better duo than them? You also forgot champions when you were listing off team accomplishments buddy

[@jesterchesterfield2374]

@@nikhiltrivedi8126found the lebron fan😂. Of course the “no help” excuse is what you bring up 😂

[@nikhiltrivedi8126]

@@jesterchesterfield2374 you’re the type to say the 2017 and 2018 finals were an equal fight 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@AG30]

@@nikhiltrivedi8126you the type to say he didn’t have help in 2016/17

[@CensorTube84]

Nobody tryna play on LeBron ”team”. So they can listen to the fans and media calling another man “king”, and how LeBron doesn’t have enough help blah blah blah.

[@Donnie-or4zj]

lakers did not struggle closing last szn. check your stats, football nerd guy.

[@leetraviusmckay314]

"LeBron got 6 biscuits and gave dem a 20 piece all flats lemon pepper" 😂

[@BucketsCulture]

u say the same stuff over and over again leetravius

[@leetraviusmckay314]

@@BucketsCulture u keep losing to the Nuggets 😂

[@ClareAmel]

⁠@@BucketsCultureHe lives off of “all flats lemon pepper,” “fold like clean sheets,” throwing in random quotation marks and a laughing emoji

[@richardmatthews2807]

⁠@@ClareAmel😂😂😂😂😂😂 fold like clean sheets made me laugh too loud I think folded like a cheap tent is much better

[@leetraviusmckay314]

@@ClareAmel ¿

[@benitofranklyn4237]

Well first Always Defect and LeOld need to manage to play more than 50 games next season

[@lakersin556]

#18ChampionshipRing

[@silvergold2140]

SAS... needs a huge paycheck from Klutch Sports.. thats why hes saying this..

[@wl6020]

Weed in Los Angeles is very high quality. AD must be smoking alot of it

[@michaelrandall6184]

Stop it 😂

[@danoia4]

Why they cut off stephen a at the end lol

[@antonioyoung2977]

They need to pair AD back with Boogie Cousins. Let's get Boogie back in there. The time is now shooting bigs are thriving, and Boogie's got a dagger right now.

[@lillee642]

I appreciate the fact SAS brought up that AD played 76 games.

[@markpetrie7548]

Kerr needs to use Book the way he used Klay

[@user-ex3yj2ug9i]

They could use Blake Griffen

[@ZandeKongo]

Not with that front office, there isn't.

[@5634TY]

Was Molly actually quiet for the whole segment without interrupting anyone with dumb comments? Producers must have said something to her lol

[@AbhinashKumarSharma-ez5ly]

The storytelling skills are amazing. It's engaging from start to finish.

[@sravalm21]

The ceiling is a 2nd round exit at best for this Lakers team.

[@bruceleeroy2050]

Mad Dog is the voice of reason lol !

[@ericcolburn9872]

That window is nailed shut

[@mathewmcfool]

they do this every offseason instead of talking about the 100s of other sporting events in the world. soon they'll be talking about QBs

[@awesomereviews1561]

No.

[@romanewilliams9563]

No chance for the Lakers as currently constructed! Funny how this team keeps popping up in conversations!

[@kjhunt218]

WE THE LAKERS! 2025 champs

[@MPARNELL]

How will this affect Lejunior's legacy?

[@chrisa8863]

Austin Rivers still tryna get a contract

[@jabobo45]

Why do they always bring up "oh they are a play in team" as if they needed it to make the playoffs. Do people realize that the 7 and 8 seed are forced to fight for the playoffs even though they earn their spots like the other 1-6. My rule is if you were ever a 9-10 seed then you are a play-in team

[@BatangGracePark]

But they are all “Friendly games” only. Are you kidding the fans. Its just feeling games especially for other teams.

[@damien12348]

Why can’t we get free agents then 😢

[@Artbyartcreates]

The window still not closed tho.. bron and AD still balling!

[@benitofranklyn4237]

I know exactly why, because it gets higher ratings if he does say it.

[@VaughnUnited]

That got Dam Window been closed since the bubble LOL!

[@NonameNoname-lm2zg]

Facts!!!!

[@nicholaseaster58]

The Lakers are definitely contenders to defend their IST Play-In championship.

[@brandondavis8156]

I swear these guys change their mind everyday

[@edmondsparks2269]

Finally someone said it! AD is best when he plays the 4.

[@lemini4k]

If Klay can get them 12-18 a game and actually make buckets, the Mavs are going right back to the finals because their front court is ridiculous asf.

[@lakerlife9817]

I believe it's crucial to maintain continuity as we head into the season rather than making a trade for Jerami Grant. Our fanbase often craves something new and shiny to spark excitement, but this move feels like a mediocre fix. We still haven’t tackled our biggest issue from last season: backcourt defense. We consistently get torched on that end, allowing opponents to find their rhythm early in games. While many fans are concerned about the center position, I see it differently. The only center that has truly posed a challenge for the Lakers is Jokic. If Christian and Jaxson have dedicated themselves this summer and can stay healthy, I think they have the potential for bounce-back seasons. If they look at how Bam utilizes his skills alongside AD, they should aim to replicate that synergy. Keeping the core intact and investing in our current players could yield greater long-term benefits than chasing mediocrity.

[@emilioc8393]

They need to fire and stop letting mad dog talk he hardly knows anything

[@haywood0457]

Real LAL fans, not the ones who only tuned into primetime games, know and knew we were capped these past 2 season because of a lack of center depth and coach Ham. Period. I’ve watched every game the past 2 seasons and these two things have inhibited the team by a large shot. I think JJ will be better than Ham, which ain’t too hard to do, but the depth has not been targeted.

[@paulmccarthy4277]

Stephen a contradicts himself everyweek

[@FundamentalCoaching1996]

@@paulmccarthy4277 he's like a seesaw

[@benitofranklyn4237]

Stephen A. making any sense is as likely as the Lakers winning the Championship

[@jalilcook5113]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 just can’t get enough with the lakers talk huh

[@keyshondrickjohnson3608]

Been saying this we just need another guy a consistent guy if we had a gm who actually knew what he was doing they woulda had another chip

[@bigbdagoat84]

I’m a Lakers fan but I’m tired on them talking about the Lakers all the time.

[@jgyrwa]

AD is looking phenomenal, up and down the court, looking healthy.

[@notsofamous_ant]

Kerr not tryna give HIS Curry plays up on TEAM USA wit Bron Bron 😂 Curry gotta get it out the mud 😂

[@jaycee3487]

You sound dumb , that's why they study film ya clown, curry just bricking shooting very bad in the ex games