First Take

First Take resumes with the Knicks miraculous playoff run. They cemented their legacy as an all-time great playoff team, going 12-1 after the first round. Is this an all-time great team, or did they just get hot at the right time? Then, P.K. Subban compares the Knicks run to the Hurricanes. In the future, which team will be looked back at as the better team? Next, Finals MVP Jalen Brunson throws every insult Stephen A. has hurled his way throughout the years right back in his face. Knicks fans, SAS haters, this is MUST LISTEN.

First Take begins with Stephen A.'s victory lap. It's the happiest we've ever seen our champion. It was the best sports night of his life. He can't stop grinning ear to ear. He's waited 53 long years for this exact moment. Come hear all of the emotion ooze out of SAS as he rhapsodizes about the greatest title team in recent memory! How did a six foot oft injured point guard immediately place himself on the Knicks Mt Rushmore of athletes? We were told he couldn't be the best player on a championship team. Let's look at KAT's journey...

First Take resumes with the Morris twins! They've battled most players in this riveting series. They know their games and their mentals. Do they think the Spurs have what it takes to force a pivotal game 7? Then, do you expect Wemby to bounce back in game 5, or have Kat and MitchRob destroyed this man's confidence? Next, Brunson's the favorite for finals MVP, but OG and Wemby trail close behind. Who should win it?

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First Take begins with Magic Johnson talking De'Aaron Fox's blunder. The GOAT point guard tells us what HE would have done in that situation! Then, would the Knicks be one of the greatest teams of all time if they win it all? Next, John Tortorella is so sure he the Golden Knights will force a game 7, he's leaving clothes in Raleigh!

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First Take resumes with no clutch gene?? Is it fair to say a 22 year old can't handle big moments after Wemby's late pair of missed free throws? Then, MSG was rockin' last night! The celebs were out and cheering hard, second bowl residents kept it rowdy the entire game, and watch parties thrived. Shump even showed out! Did the MSG faithful redeem themselves? Next, is this series over?

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First Take begins with OG's improbably tip in! Where does it rank amongst all-time playoff moments? IS OG Anunoby now the king of New York? Then, do you give more credit to the Knicks for pulling off the shocking comeback, or criticism to the Spurs for blowing it? Next, Roger Bennett of Men in Blazers tells us which team is the Knicks or the World Cup!!

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First Take resumes with thrilling debate on game 4! Is this a must win for the Knicks? Then, LeBron mentioned the goat debate in a recent article. Is it okay for him to think he's the best player of all time? Next, Mad dog is MAD at Mike Brown and all of the reaction to the Brendan Sorsby catastrophe!

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First Take begins with the Spurs defense. Sometimes it seems like they have eight guys out there! Is their physical, menacing playstyle fair or foul? Should the Knicks fans focus their energy on the refs? Then, if the Knicks do end up losing the finals, how will we rank Brunson? Next, Mad Dog's top 5 MSG villains!

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First Take resumes with Stephen A.'s reaction to Trump doubting his IQ! "You need a high IQ (to run for president), I'm not sure SAS has that," said Trump. Stephen A. takes the podium to FIRE back at President Trump, and ask him why he felt the need to ruin what was supposed to be a magical night in MSG! Then, Mark Messier joins with his pick for game 4 of the Stanley Cup!! Next, KAT had his worst game of the finals in game 3, but was his poor play actually Brunson's fault?

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First Take begins with the Knicks first loss in over a month! Are the officials swallowing their whistles (then randomly calling segments of the game tight), Wemby's heightened play, or KATs regression to blame for the loss? Then, if the refs are allowing head punches, an abundance of hand checking not seen since early 2000s Artest, and one sided flagrant fouls, who does it favor? Next, is Sam Presti coming to SGA's defense over social media bullies the right or wrong move?

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First Take resumes with Knicks Fan's craziness heading into game 3! Trump's presence at the Garden forced all watch parties outside of MSG to be cancelled. Will the president's presence disrupt the Knicks momentum? Then, with a ring, do you put Brunson above all ringless players? Even Chuckster and Melo? Plus, Stephen A.s top 5 NBA playoff atmospheres!

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First Take begins with MSG expectations!! Is this going to be the most raucous crowd of all time? Will President Trump's presence impact the team in a positive or negative manner? Then, Jalen Brunson is cashing in clutch shots like 2018 LeBron! Which HOFer does Stephen A. compare him to? Plus, Wilbon and Jay Will remember the great Stacey King. RIP.

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First Take resumes with major star power! Who needs to have a bigger game: the River Walk monk, or the braided magician from the mean streets of Manhattan? (0:00) Then, Shump tells us if he would have struggled more guarding SGA or Brunson. (14:00) Next, KAT has completely changed his public perception throughout these playoffs. Mobley-esque defense, Jokic-esque passing, and Billups-esque leadership has elevated his career trajectory tenfold! Can he keep it up throughout the rest of the finals? (23:50)

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First Take is live from San Antonio breaking down tonight's must win game 2 for the Spurs! Wilbon gives us some historical context on how deadly it may be for the Spurs to go down 0-2, while Windy has the inside info on where each locker room's confidence level is heading into a sure to be rock fight in the Alamo City! (0:00) Then, Shump is puzzled why people are still underrating Jalen Brunson. To quote Sir Charles, "What more can he do?" (21:00) Next, while the Mavs and Wolves sit at home lamenting iffy trades and egregious non-signings, the Knicks dine...

First Take begins with Perk, SAS and Windy waxing poetic about the Nova Knicks. Years of bonding, team building, and ribbing have culminated in one of the greatest playoff runs of all time. What worked so well about the Knicks game 1 plan, and how can the Spurs adjust?

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First Take begins with Knicks-Spurs game 1!! MVP like performances from Brunson, KAT, and Hart led the Knicks to a tight victory in San Antonio! First Take is live from The Alamo breaking down all of the finals angles! Is this one already over? Is Wemby finally getting fatigued? How exactly did KAT's pregame mindset lead him to dominating Wemby in and out of the paint?

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The biggest names, the biggest moves, and the biggest stage in sports!

One NFL superstar is packing his bags and heading west in a move that could reshape the league's balance of power.

Another is trading one iconic stop for another, looking to help launch the Patriots back into contention.

And on the hardwood, the Finals are finally here. So whether you say hello or bonjour, get ready for one of the most anticipated championship matchups we've seen in years!

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It's time for First Take, and we've got blockbuster headlines everywhere!

Garrett is done in Cleveland and headed west, joining what could be the NFL's next super team!

Brown is moving on from Birdie and bringing his talents to New England, where the Pats are looking to make a serious statement!

And finally, the wait is over—bonjour to an NBA Finals matchup that's been years in the making and has the entire basketball world talking!

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First Take rolls on into the second hour, and the crew discuss Draymond Green's comments on the Knicks. (0:00) Then, First Take reacts to breaking news of Serena Williams returning to professional tennis. (14:52) Next, Stephen A and Chiney Ogwumike debate who more built to run the west long term, Spurs or Thunder? (27:50) Lastly, the crew share their Finals picks. (41:07)

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First Take begins with Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals over the weekend; does OKC deserve a pass because of injuries? (0:00) Then, Stephen A and Perk debate who has more pressure to win their first title; Jalen Brunson or Victor Wembenyama. (26:25) Next, the First Take crew discuss if it's the right move for the Patriots to trade for AJ Brown. (37:05)

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First Take resumes with Mitchell Robinson's broken pinky. The Knicks' backup center is expected to play in game 1 of the Finals, but what if he has to go against Wemby with a broken finger on his shooting hand? How will Mitch hit his patented 12 ft middie? (0:00) Then, do NCAA teams need a salary cap? (11:00) Next, Gunther trashes Cody Rhodes ahead of their WWE Clash in Italy! Gunther! (26:00)

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First Take begins with the Spurs game 6 THUMPING of the Thunder! Wemby showed out, SGA shot tour dates again. What's going on with the back-to-back MVP? (0:00) Then, former Pro Bowler Steve Smith Sr. is appalled by the idea of the Eagles being better without A.J. Brown. (26:10) Next, the draft lottery is changing to help middling teams! Your last place finishing team has no stars or young talent? Too bad! What's the point of this change? (40:45)

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First Take resumes with fast rising assets. If you hold any Brunson, SGA or Wemby stock, do NOT sell now, even though it may be tempting. Hold, hold, hold. These gainers are only going to grow more! (0:00) Then, SAS lampoons UnSportsmanLike's (6AM-10AM on ESPN2/ESPNU) own Chris Canty over his blasphemous SGA take! (17:40) Next, every Knicks' role player from Mikal Bridges down to Deuce McBride took media heat all throughout the regular season! Which one has redeemed themselves the most in the playoffs? (26:30)

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First Take begins with the WCF! Game 6 could see an SGA explosion, sending the Thunder to their second straight finals. Or, a Wemby mauling, bring us an epic game 7 in OKC. Do the Thunder NEED to finish off these pesky upstart Spurs tonight? (0:00) Then, at the start of the playoffs, every pundit said the East was wide open! It's anyone's year! Now, the narrative is "this was a super easy path for the Knicks." What changed? (25:35) Next, Kirby smart suggested the SEC seceding from the NCAA. Is this a SMART move?

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First Take resumes with the Knicks facing two juggernauts. Which WCF team should they prefer to see in the finals??

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SGA Dominates Wemby & Spurs! Is this Series Over?

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Frist Take resumes with the Knicks 11 straight playoff wins. They carry the league's highest point differential in NBA playoff history, and officially surpassed the 2017 Warriors for league adjusted aura+ after OG's put back slam. Are the Knicks the most impressive playoff team in NBA history? What sparked this tremendous run after mediocre play for large portions of the regular season?

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First Take begins with Stephen A feeling like it's '99!!! The Knicks sweep the Cavs, officially making it back to their first finals since the days of Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell. How did Leon Rose build the East's biggest juggernaut? How did Jalen GOATson lead the Knicks out of the pits of despair, constantly dwelling at the bottom of the East with Damyean Dotson and Kadeem Allen, to now representing the NBA's finest conference in the Finals just 6 short years later? Stephen A. and Cam'ron break it down!!!

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First Takes resumes with the fast falling Cavs! Should they go all in on LeBron? (0:00) Then, Mad Dog and Stephen A. dive deep into the Giants locker room issues with Jaxson Dart introducing Trump at a recent rally. (13:30) Next, we've trashed the Mikal Bridges trade more than any other show... With his recent historic playoff shooting numbers, was trading five first round picks actually worth it for the Knicks? (24:50)

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First Take begins with a raucous and rowdy WCF! Wemby dunking over everyone. SGA making All-NBA defenders fall. Devin Vassell proving he's one of the top tier two-way guys in the league... Heading back to OKC, are the Spurs in control of this series? (0:00) Then, with the Knicks on the verge of their first finals appearance since '99, we NEED to look back on the Greatest Knicks of all time! Does Brunson surpass Frazier and Ewing with a ring? (24:00) Next, what can the Thunder do to stop the menacing Frenchman who reigned supreme over OKC in game 4? (41:30)

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First Take resumes with Kendrick Perkins talking analytics. Josh Hart understands their importance, but doesn't think they should be solely relied upon for lineup decisions. Perk has some thoughts on these comments and math invading sports in general. (0:00) Then, Chet has become somewhat of a joke to Wemby. He views him the same way a senior in high school looks down upon a freshman. Should we be criticizing him for failing to stop the phenomenal Frenchman? (17:15) Next, did LeBron sneak in a trade request during a recent podcast appearance? (32:10)

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First Take begins with nine straight Knicks playoff wins! Brunson passed with the poise and finesse of CP3, shot with the touch of Curry, and led with the adaptability and strategic vision of LeBron. Are the Knicks on the verge of a sweep? (0:00) Then, SGA's flailing and flopping playstyle is at the forefront of conversation again! After falling on nearly all of his shot attempts in game 2, is this something the league needs to address? (21:10) Next, Lebron thinks the Lakers were "out-talented" by OKC. Is this a secret trade request? (40:50)

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First Take resumes with the game AFTER the game! Coming off an all-time comeback against the Cavs, Jalen Brunson looks to put the Knicks up 2-0. How many points does KAT need for the Knicks to head to Cleveland in control of the series? (0:00) Then, it's been three years since Joe Burrow threw a playoff pass! Is this the year the drought ends for Cincy's gunslinger? (10:10) Next, The Kid Mero ponders the greatest Knicks of all time! Ewing, Reed, Frazier? Does Brunson pass all of them with a 2026 title victory? (22:50)

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First Take begins with Thunder victory! Zay Hart successfully kept Wemby out of the paint, limiting his post touches and tip ins! Is this a sustainable strategy? (0:00) Then, let's revisit Aaron Rodgers' illustrious career. One Super Bowl, 4 MVPs, countless McAfee appearances. How will you remember The Baaaaaaaad Man? (26:10) Next, would expanding the CFP to 24 teams ruin college football for good? (41:00)

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First Take resumes with playing the Knicks long game. We've seen them win defensive battles, high intensity offensive games, and everything in between. Could they hang with the Spurs or Thunder? (0:00) Then, Jason Kidd is OUT in Dallas. Who should replace him? (14:40) Next, Mad Dog is MAD at Alex Caruso, NFL fans, and his own MRI saga! (25:30)

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First Take begins with Orange and Blue Skies! Jalen Brunson is a god walking amongst men. Mikal Bridges possesses the accuracy of prime Hawkeye. James Harden may have suffered the worst isolation beatdown of all time! Lets go Stephen A!!! (0:00) Then, Thunder-Spurs game 2 is upon us. What's the biggest key for the Thunder to bounce back? (25:50) Next, P.K. Subban breaks down Golden Knights-Avs. (40:40)

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First Take resumes with concern over the 2x MVP. SGA's struggles have widely flown under the radar due to the Thunder's dominant series wins. Is it time for one of the greatest guards of all time to step up? (0:00) Then, which Knick needs to play the best tonight? Does KAT need another triple double? Four 3s from Mikal? Brunson 30 bomb? (13:20) Next, Stephen A.'s top 5 pivotal players in each conference finals! (21:40)

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First Take begins with an all-timer from Wemby. Dominance in every sense of the word. Motivated by a second place MVP finish, willing to put his body on the line for his squad, Cam'ron can't even believe it! (0:00) Then, Aaron Rodgers is back in the Steelers building prepping for another playoff run! Were the Steelers right to bring him back? (24:00) Next, which NBA player needs a ring the most? (36:40)

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First Take resumes with Stephen A. going OFF on Jaylen Brown! Come on the show, JB!! (0:00) Then, who are you more excited to watch: Wemby or SGA? (22:40) Next, WOLFvestigative journalists! We're reading deep into some seemingly innocuous but potentially deadly player quotes from the Wolves. Are they talking about Julius Randle? (28:30)

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First Take begins with a legacy redefined! Donovan Mitchell finally reaches the Conference Finals after an epic game 7 win in Detroit. Is Donovan Mitchell now better all-time than Embiid? (0:00) Then, any issue with Ant-Man shaking hands with 8 minutes to go in the 4th, seemingly giving up while the game was ongoing? (25:10) Next, P.K. Subban gets us ready for Habs-Sabres game 7!!! (40:30)

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