Would A Sweep Give Warriors Title As G.O.A.T.? | First Take | June 9, 2017

Stephen A. Smith says even if the Golden State Warriors sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals, they do not deserve the title of greatest team of all time. Will Cain says a 16-0 record, and sweeping LeBron James, would give them the title as G.O.A.T.
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[@PianoProduct32]

Max gets an A+. He went in every detail on the 95-96 Bulls' road to the championship (They went through two 60-win teams to win).

[@ZaZeem]

Stephen A always looks like someone stole his food at lunch time when somebody else is speaking smh!

[@sonicoduh1125]

lmao

[@tyian6728]

tinyBro he's sooo disrespectful

[@ThatNiggaNedStark]

3:41 LMFAOOOOOOOOO

[@whiteknight6775]

tinyBro LMAO..😂😂😂

[@jamalezzeddine8100]

Stephen A. a better actor and showman than sports journalist.

[@MrEherndon5]

Jamal Ezzeddine well that's not hard for him to do lol

[@oldnbaschool]

If you wan't Vince Mcmahon to sign him. GIVE ME A HELL YEAH!

[@courypeterkin1569]

Jamal Ezzeddine ironically true Stephen a is such a character on ESPN first take but he is a cool guy wearing business suit entertaining people

[@splashnskillz37]

that's why we love him tho

[@ZaZeem]

96 bulls the G.O.A.T Team easily. Best record with a ring. Had the greatest player in NBA history. Most dominant team destroying GP and SK.

[@josephemerson8583]

tinyBro Not the best record but a better record than the 2017 warriors.

[@Lucarinho]

Joseph Emerson he said WITH a ring.

[@josephemerson8583]

Lucarinho Ahhh I see.

[@legitscuffer2974]

I agree and I'm a seattle sonic fan born and raised... I witnessed GREATNESS in 96' lol

[@cnote181]

72 wins was a fluke. multiple starters missed games that season and they still got 72. let's u know the kind of competition back then

[@usainphelps1491]

Max has a good case But people sleeping on the 2012 bobcats

2001 lakers 15 - 1 2017 GSW 16 - 0 Yeah they are the GOAT TEAM if they do this feat

[@joeyn6309]

Bro they did not play the spurs with kawhi thryi had noting and they the best team in league how you down 23 at home in the conference finals

[@joeyn6309]

Bro the fact you said 15 and 0 and the down 23 horrible take and one person goes down if they the goat why they need Kawhi to go down excalty I got you hars

[@Onlyrealmusic4life]

But what if the Warriors played the Laker team with today's rules and officiating? Stephen A mentioned how the Lakers got to play a little more physical back then, but what if the officials didn't allow it? Lakers would get run off the court lol People downplay the officiating and how much it shapes and changes the game over time.

[@realdeal4854]

Onlyrealmusic4life how the Showtime Lakers Greatest Running Team in History would get ran off court? you Betta KZbin youngsta

[@Onlyrealmusic4life]

The math works against anyone that can't shoot 3s amazingly well. Warriors are taking 3s nonstop. And on top of that, Draymond would get away with his dirty play even more. Refs don't call shit for low post players anymore. They don't call moving screens either lol so yes.

[@Onlyrealmusic4life]

The officiating is not what it was in their time.

[@realdeal4854]

The Lakers had 2 of the top 4 players in HISTORY of the Game, also James Worthy a Hall of Famer! Cooper One of Greatest wing defender of All Time.... pretty easy to answer for me...

[@realdeal4854]

Onlyrealmusic4life If we were in streets you wouldn't even think of calling another man bitch, I live in Inglewood if you wanna disrespect bring yo ass over here

[@andrewlaumbach3042]

the warriors aren't built to play old school teams so you can't compare them

[@SM-vx6zq]

Andrew Collects those teams aren’t built to play the Warriors either

[@Cpyoutube1245]

Max is 100% correct

[@j4genius961]

As usual ( except when it comes to Lebron )

[@leroyrodgers6089]

Max low key is right though. That 96 bulls team was unreal, he should shove that in Nick Wrongs face when he starts talking about how the bulls never played great teams in the finals

[@THEGLOVESOFF]

Man I wish Kawhi never got hurt....

[@emmanuelr710]

Older people are always bias.

[@TrunxKraft3000]

Emmanuel M That literally makes no sense. Anyone can be bias. Including babies

[@kingkhoilan]

Emmanuel M maybe because they've actually SEEN this historic teams and not just played with some of them on 2k.

[@idkidk6164]

Emmanuel McCoy You’re being a hypocrite

[@calebford6318]

Kareem was 38 years old on that team...........

[@BillyBob-vo4dk]

He was 38 and still mvp caliber

[@Fredles128]

Ah yes 22, 8, 3 truly mvp stuff right there

[@Jacob-vp3zg]

im loving these first take vedeos

[@a-nthologytheanthology7422]

With every passing year an old school team becomes more legendary and invincible. Imagine what this year's Warriors will be in 20 years.

[@Norpan506]

I know one thing: Dennis Rodman would destroy Draymond Green!

[@rondillinger2226]

I would love to see them go at it..Rodman would get under his skin so easily..

[@Norpan506]

Beauden Barrett Yeah, you can not compare Durant whit Jordan, Jordan is much better :p

[@TrunxKraft3000]

norpan506 DISTROY

[@hundo3k798]

Dark sky paradise you're*

[@realitybites629]

Ta-Kuan Fuan do you realize that only need 1 player can shoot the ball in offense? you know how valuable rodman is on OFFENSE? rodman is the ALLTIME leader in OFFENSIVE rebounds,.he killed SEATTLE with those OFFENSIVE rebounds against SHAWN KEMP who is a FAR better Rebounder than dreymond,. he allowed his teammates to regroup and have 2nd chance points LOL,. Rodman was able to GUARD PLAYERS like SHAQ, MJ, Magic, Hakeem, Duncan, Bird,..Dreymond would be a walk in the park LOL,.

[@silvertiger937]

I also understand why people think warriors could repeat and bring up draymond green suspension and Andrew Bogut injury but all these analysts forget how kyrie Irving and Kevin love were injured in the 2015 finals no one brings that up

[@silvertiger937]

I meant to say I also don't understand

[@ASTROPLANET13]

+silver tiger As a reasonable warriors fan I'm more than willing to acknowledge that the warriors beat an incomplete cavs team to get their first championship. However, more often then not people AREN'T willing to admit that as horrible as chocking a 3-1 lead is, draymond, their titular defender is is suspended game 5. Bogut, their only competent rim protector and center is injured. And steph curry isn't fully healthy.

[@silvertiger937]

AshantiSeppuku ya your right about that but I was only pointing this out cause people mention the draymond green suspension and Andrew bogut injury but they don't really mention kyrie and love injury

[@NYCHeavyHitz212]

Uh, EVERYBODY acknowledges those injuries.

[@kasimk4]

last year Cavs had everyone and gsw still took it to game 7 with suspensions, ejections, injuries and physically comprised players.

[@nadotcom]

1. 96 Bulls 2. 86 Celtics 3. 01 Lakers 4. Ball Brothers

[@donandrews9216]

Rowin & Kirsten i

[@Brianaxel44]

10 teams I think that could beat 17' golden state. 96 bulls 87 lakers 86 celtics 97 bulls 72 lakers 01 lakers 83 sixers 71 bucks 02 lakers 92 bulls

[@TheRealAbrahamLincoln]

Translation: my nostalgia is greater than reality.

[@mrgotham3685]

BRIANAXEL44 12-13 Heat

[@bubbajum2338]

Rowin & Kirsten 08 celtics

[@369TP]

"Will's a Puppy" best comment

[@lucabrazi7773]

Max giving y'all facts

[@Ranger21619]

Dame kawhi Leonard why Zaza had to do you like that

[@ΜάριοςΠεντάρης]

Chi773Raq312 well bro they had to keep up the undefeated run somehow and i guess when all you care about is proving you're the best with 4 all stars on your team anything goes

[@cxinthechat7805]

Chi773Raq312 they still would of swept the trash ass spurs

[@HarvisD4]

Btephen Burry #GSW2017CHAMPIONS they were down by 25 when kawhi went out and only won by 2. They wouldn't have swept them

[@Norpan506]

Can sombody explain to me what players like Zaza are doing in the NBA? In the NHL he wouldnt get the chance to be a bench warmer!

[@ΜάριοςΠεντάρης]

Btephen Burry #GSW2017CHAMPIONS first of all saying "would of" instead would've proves you're either a ten year old or a dumbass, which explains a lot..maybe your memory is weak so let me remind you the warriors, the godlike superteam that will probably sweep the finals was getting completely destroyed by ONE ALL STAR (and an amazing coach let's be fair). The only way to win was to take out kawhi and that's what they did. Although all things considered he was lucky, instead of getting his balls kicked in by swampdonkey he got away with a fked up ankle

[@kinglou1908]

warriors would sweep easily cuz magic never seen handles and a shooter like curry, klay, and Durant . old skool

[@derrickwalker2355]

Glad Stephen A is back 1st off; however if the golden State warriors are not the greatest team ever, how then did they ruin the nba????

[@denzel5500]

Derrick Walker Bcz the rest aren't that good now on the same level. In the past they were more close to each other.

[@derrickwalker2355]

Denzel I understood bro however by default if you argue they are not the greatest team than you can't say they ruin the nba. whom is consider greater - than the nba was already ruined.

[@undefeatedpacifist8389]

Derrick Walker that argument is painfully flawed and illogical

[@derrickwalker2355]

Undefeated pacifist how is it flawed and illogical? I don't ever recall any one saying kobe/Shaq Lakers ruined the nba nor Jordan's 72 - 10 bulls?

[@derrickwalker2355]

Tom Kauli 1st off i never assumed anything. 2nd my original comment was a rhetorical response to Stephen always saying golden State ruined the nba but then names all other era team's that would beat them. Yet, he never said those same comments how other team's ruined the nba. like the team's you named and as you pointed out had a disparity of talent. lastly where the warriors are as far as contracts, is testament to their GM Bob Meyers who built a team through drafts none of them top picks. If it's at the lowest of the season due to team's and contracts that's on other team's gm's.

[@KuayBeatz]

stephen..a smith..face was priceless... lol when 1st dude went

[@TheKiid810]

Imagine kareem getting switched on steph in them pick n rolls lol...issa 20 3s

[@kadeemwilliams2536]

Thank you Max

[@TheoryandRobG]

Gregg Poppovich's ex sister's grandpa will beat the Warriors in 2026.

[@melvinbridgewater6165]

Alexander Stolz See Ya Then

[@bencrutchfield1]

ex sister???

[@kickzandpunchez9823]

Top 5 Greatest Nba Teams Ever (Single Season and IN MY OPINION ) 1. 96-96 Bulls 2. 15-16 GSW 3. 86-87 Lakers 4. 01-02 Lakers 5. 88-89 Pistons

[@AxelLaw]

Max was sooooo right on this.

[@dacionmichaelinnaidoo4250]

90s style of playing basketball would hurt a lot players in the NBA today. The Chicago Bulls of the 90s decade was the most dominant figure of that era that cannot be matched today.

[@aragornn23]

Im with Max in this.. Magic and Bird themselves were in awe of Michael. The quality of opposition plus the tougher rules make the 96 Bulls the greatest team of all time.

[@HENAEZ]

the rules argument is pointless. yes, maybe it was tougher back then but that just means the 96 bulls would get destroyed if they had to play against the warriors with today's rules.

[@jstrong3656]

I knew from the title alone this shit was going to be ridiculous😂

[@GmoneyMozart]

Kick those facts Max!

[@SShaBazzz]

SAS has a really good arguement. But I gotta agree with Max, 96 Bulls are the best team ever. And it's because of what happened to the GSW last year when they went 73-9 because a team that finally beat their record still couldn't eclipse their championship so Bulls effectively make that season null and void.

[@r0caf3lla23]

them old guys aint running with GS. they play too fast.

[@PH-lr2mp]

max beat sas he mad we talking greatest season not couple of seasons

[@MrEherndon5]

Everything gets better with time. The best team now is the best team of all time. The best phone now is the best. The best farmer now is the best.

[@nelsonoliphant6307]

It's all about the system, the Warriors have proved new is always better, stronger and faster. can't keep up with them, their speed and conviction combined with its defense. Everyone saw how LeBron and co couldn't keep up for 3 quarters let alone the entire game. New is always better, the system is what makes this team.

[@norcalgiantsfan1]

The difference between the Bulls, the Lakers, and the Warriors is that the Warriors are actually playing the best player in the league. The best player in the league at the time is not on their team. They are doing this, in the playoffs, against the best player in the world. The Lakers didn't need to go up against a Lebron, and neither did Jordan and the Bulls.

[@MuhibAli110]

Will is the greatest heel on television

[@treybowman8053]

i gotta agree with max on this one 💯

[@yahwehisking1244]

1982-1989 pistons would physically and mentally destroy golden state.

[@ContexClues]

Lakers would probably probably have a better chance. Magic was 6 9 and would have a huge advantage over curry. Kareem would dominate pachulia and Javale. There huge mismatches at the pg and center position that give the Lakers a huge advantage.

[@topbrand5591]

Finally someone told Will about himself

[@gratscott5632]

Can I suggest the 1983 sixers? they swept the showtime lakers

[@castrokobe24]

Top 5 players in the NBA from the last 3 seasons in order by overall impact on the game: 1. Stephen Curry 2. LeBron James 3. Kevin Durant 4. Kawhi Leonard 5. James Harden

[@funnymanvideos365]

Ron Harper vs Steph Curry Michael Jordan vs Klay Thompson Scottie Pippen vs Kevin Durant Dennis Roman vs Draymond Green Luc Longley or Horace Grant vs Zaza Pachulia and Javale Mcgee. Really guys?????

[@stephentubbs]

Magic and Kareem's Lakers are the best team ever! The Celtics with Bill Russell, and later Larry Bird, are the greatest team ever! Michael Jordan is the greatest player ever! The Golden State Warriors are the greatest team in this era, they have re-invigorated the game. The Warriors are the most talented team that I have ever seen.

[@MrSquaky]

Curry >>> Harper Klay < Jordan Durant > Pippen Green > Rodman Zaza > Longley also Livingston < Kerr Clark > Brown Iguodala > Kukoc West > Buechler McGee > Wennington

[@zodspeed]

This is the best First Take I've ever seen. I agree with Max though, 96 Bulls > Everyone else

[@randymonster4105]

That 96 Sonics team is underrated. It is one of the best defensive teams to ever play.

[@TheBlackSage7]

Randy Monster my man Shawn Kemp tho.

[@RaiderSteelerfan]

If GSW wants to be a dynasty, then they can't be too good to make adjustments especially when they are at the top...

[@derekstrickland2421]

If the Warriors do this another year or 2 straight then yes I'd label them that way..but not yet..3 tremendous years they've had win or lose with lots of broken records but they need more time for the G.O.A.T. label as a team..They are however, the greatest shooters to have played this game, hands down.

[@mikejames5678]

numbers dnt lie 16-0 no other team will do this again

[@redjets09]

96 bulls - greatest team of all time in terms of competitiveness and dominance on court offensively and defensively specially on clutch moments and in finals series.. Showtime Lakers - greatest team of all time in terms of talent and talent distribution as a team.. though I would say that I would still take 96 bulls over this team if matched up in a finals series.. GSW - maybe the greatest small ball team ever.. and the greatest 3 pt shooting team ever.. but of all time.. I dont even think they would do well against '01 lakers with Shaq and Kobe.

[@Niro2210]

Agree with max

[@TelvinKipapa]

Cavs fans cheering for Da Bulls 😂

[@jaysheat631]

1 question how many games would this warriors team win if they had a shorter 3 pt line like the bulls had???

[@fabiogoncalves6332]

i just want to say this, everyone forgots to mention the bench of GS. they are the best cause they have by far the best bench in NBA

[@WITNESSREVENGE]

Can't stand max defending blowouts. Dude cmon.

[@vertrauen3777]

Stephen A acts like the 80's Lakers were unbeatable. They twice got swept in the finals...Also not a valid argument to compare this years Warriors team to the entirety of the 80's Lakers.

[@therealone4393]

Stephen A is the W.H.O.A.T. Worst hairline of all time👌👌👌👌👌

[@Aralis97]

Carl Stigger the half fro

[@Brianaxel44]

If time travel was possible and the 17' warriors faced up against the 96' bulls it would be pretty even at first probably 2-2 by the end of game 4, but the flaw in the warriors is that they're soft and eventually they would fold under the pressure and the bulls would take the W in 6.

[@wyansas]

The rules change has fucked up any and all historical comparisons. Only reason the '17 Warriors aren't getting any love in this conversation is that these rules haven't been in place long enough. If the rules stay as they are for the next 50 seasons, teams like Showtime, 86 Celtics, 96 Bulls will be in the minority. Then we would be justified in saying that the old teams would have been too slow, unathletic, and wouldn't be able to keep up with GSW's shooters or penetrate their switching defense. Same shit we're saying now, but they won't listen to us now.

[@youngbrave5969]

your gotta let go of the 90 and 80 this is a new era

[@demarr5811]

That was when men was playing actually basketball bitch now a days you get called for a foul for just looking at a fucking player

[@filipsimek8634]

SAS just named 6-7 great players from 80's lakers team and argued they are better than gsw but they with 4 great players 'destroyed' NBA. We have now 2 juggernauts same as in 80's with celtics and lakers. Yea I know there were some other good teams but it's not much different now. Spurs are always contenders, houston is good, boston is building future potential championship team. And I believe today's league has more talented players. Sounds a bit of hippocracy to me

[@AuburnFanSince2010]

2001 Lakers swept through the Blazers, Kings, and Spurs.

[@thoroughtheexec]

I love this show..

[@jaybestemployee]

Old legendary teams play with different rules than current legendary teams. Legendary teams became legends because they outplayed all other teams judged by the rules of their respective periods. Comparing old Lakers with current Warriors is like comparing dinosaurs with humans. Humans in dinosaur times maybe just a tasty treat to the great beasts. Dinosaurs in our times could also be hunting target for the guns we humans have.

[@kefkapalazzo1]

Why do we act like hand checking is more effective than the defensive schemes of the modern day? Every ISO guy back then would have to curtail their game

[@thechurch5000]

Isiah was hurt in 88 and Magic was hurt in 89 so both of those years are questionable as far as who was the better team.

[@mikeevans4051]

so if westbrook goes to the pelicans is that a superteam? will he be hated for going to a team with an unstoppable mid and paint force? theyll be super happy becuz they love rus for being a ballhog that statchase but kill the chances of playoffs

[@rickmamba]

For once I agree with Max! The Bulls baby!

[@TeddRoosevelt]

Warriors have to stack the deck even more and sweep teams with injured starters. Doesn't sound like a team that should be considered the greatest of all time. I would take the best Lakers/Bulls/Celtics teams over the Warriors anytime.

[@ChrisSmith-tu9bu]

This Warriors team is like the fourth greatest of all time....theyre like the undefeated dolphins in the NFL.... yeah they're awesome in off years when the competition is super low...but overall theyre not all-time great

[@gokulvaradan8781]

Real talk the wizards with gilbert arenas, i don't think mj would be doing much talking with a .45 to his dome

[@qdg.productions]

I just have a feeling that people are tired of talking the Warriors. If that's true then I don't blame them, and I'm a Warriors fan too...

[@nicolasteissier691]

Yes Stephen A. !!!!

[@zyonworld6684]

Max is completely right

[@AustinFarrell1012]

He's saying that Max glossed over stuff he kinda glossed over the fact that Thomas couldn't play in game 7 because of his ankle and if not for. TERRIBLE shooting foul called against Laimbeer the Pistons woulda won the Finals

[@delioniowilson7301]

Max killed them on this topic

[@TheFlash-je3bl]

The team i would assemble to beat the Warriors Magic Johnson Michael Jordan Kawhi Leonard Tim Duncan Kareem Abdul Jabbar

[@spacedoutrecords1063]

The Flash 2024 Great squad

[@spacedoutrecords1063]

The Flash 2024 I'd have Ray Allen and Reggie Miller off the bench as my shooters

[@jawpoppinoff6511]

The Flash 2024 No one's beatin that team. If I had to try, I'd pick: Lebron James (at point, since he's goin up against Magic) Kobe (or maybe D Wade. Most people would say Kobe, so I will, too) Larry Bird Karl Malone Hakeem (old heads might pick Wilt or Russell, but I'm stickin with the Dream)

[@victorsullivan9107]

LeBron Michael Jordan Kawhi Dirk Duncan

[@abrahammedina1535]

Dream team

[@JB-zk4ec]

Bill Russells Celtics were the GOAT, PERIOD! Wilt, the best offensive player all time, crushed. Diferent time, but 8 of 9 titles? Never again...

[@seanlinehan4724]

It's not fair to say one team is the greatest of all time, the rules will change each of those teams are the greatest team in that generation cause you can't say one team would be more successful in the other teams era because we just don't know. They are all the greatest in their respective era.

[@RetroR0bbie]

Salley though really?

[@Teech_]

SAS ur ahead of urself man stop it just stop it.

[@mr.autopassion4906]

Gs Warriors (Kd), Don't play with your food, eat up and Sweep up the place ...🏆 Dub City

[@Mimi4826]

When SAS starts naming the Showtime Lakers and the crowd is silent because they have no idea who they are. Fake fans at their best 😒

[@monk3070]

THE 95-96 CHICAGO BULLS ARE THE GREATEST TEAM OF ALLTIME. THE WARRIORS WOULD OF WENT TO GAME 6 OR 7 AGAINST THE SPURS IF PARKER AND KAWHI WOULD OF PLAYED IN THAT SERIES REMEMBER SPURS WERE UP IN THE 3RD BY 23 SPURS WAS GONNA WIN THAT GAME THEY PROBABLY WOULD OF WON THAT SERIES SO THEM GOING 16-0 IF THEY DO CAME WITH LUCK. THEY PLAYED A WEAK UTAH TEAM AND THEY PLAYED A WEAK PORTLAND TEAM. SECOND PLACE I'LL PUT MAGIC' S LAKERS 3RD I'LL PUT THE WARRIORS OF THIS YEAR. AND THE SHAQ AND KOBE LAKERS WOULD OF BEAT THE WARRIORS I THINK.

[@ogsouljahmantimetv8970]

max killed it

[@jasonyoung4529]

Max spitting fire

[@felipebrunetta2106]

People were talking about warriors as GOAT before adding KD, they are the GOAT team and that is it

[@alfredodominguez8978]

i called the season before it even began, why tf did i waste my year watching basketball

[@joncrall4628]

"Saying it loud don't make it right"Bill Cosby

[@TheBkdot]

A sweep doesn't denote the warriors greatness. Half the shit Smith is talking about wouldn't work in today's game.

[@tyreebrown7392]

Hate and more hate lol that's how you know your doing something right!!

[@tomrogers7623]

something I don't understand (And I am willing to be educated on) is how everyone always says how 'unstoppable' Kareem's skyhook was. I was born in 1992 so I'm too young to have seen him play really... I just can't help but think... he's the leading scorer in NBA history predominantly because he was a primary scoring option for most of his career and he played a looooong time... and if his skyhook was so completely 'unstoppable' how come he doesn't average 100 points per game on 100% field goal shooting? ... usually they don't mean literally 'unstoppable' when they use that term and I understand that.... but when it comes to kareems skyhook it seems like they are talking 'literally' unstoppable..

[@3232-l2k]

max finally making sense

[@6ddowell]

Lakers faced the most competition. Bulls faced more than the warriors too

[@limubai753]

Best team in the 21st Century, we can say that!