FIRST TAKE | He is REAL GOAT! – Stephen A. & Shaq on why Curry over LeBron, Warriors will win title

FIRST TAKE | He is REAL GOAT! – Stephen A. & Shaq on why Curry over LeBron, Warriors will win title

They needed him today. Picking it up in the second quarter here. It was Chippy. Look at Dylan Brooks. Chippy is an understatement. That’s been the theme of the entire series. But guess what? The Golden State Warriors, they accept the challenge. And Dylan Brooks, he’s always going to talk. So, he’s letting Steph Curry know that’s just one. I only got one foul, bro. One minute later. Don’t do that. Steph Curry looks up at Dylan Brooks. He says, “All right, bro. Uh, now you got two.” Brooks did not take kindly to this Danny Green. Neither did Draymond. You got into a little They start a kurfuffle. Yeah, kurfuffle. My favorite word. Brooks, Curry, Green, all received technical foul. And there’s the link. And then later in the second, a little bit more drama. Tari E doesn’t back down from anybody here. Draymond Green basically sat on him. Yeah. You can’t put accidental beat up on. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Een would be assessed a technical and Green was given a flagrant maybe because he already had a technical. The referees are very self-aware and he’s just picking his nails. checking those nail beds, making sure everything I’m glad they didn’t kick him out, though. I’m glad they didn’t kick him out. Absolutely. To the fourth quarter we go. Warriors down four. Four minutes left. Green finds a cutting Butler who gets the finish here. Yeah, Jimmy Butler was huge. Especially, you know, you look at the statue, you’re like, “Okay, but playoff jimmies in full effect.” And again, Buddy Heels, what a day he had. Right on time, right on target. Warriors up one. Minute and a half to play. Golden State up three now. Watch Fred Van Bleet, the veteran. Finally, the shot has arrived. Game tied at 104. One minute left. Still tied. Butler foul corner. We going to have an uncomfortable conversation. Did that really they called that, right? Yeah, they did. Hand on the make all three free throws to take the lead here. And then 13 seconds left. Alprren Shenon drives, but watch Draymond here trying to take that little baby hook shot that he loves. Butler with a huge rebound. Let him know, Dre. Here’s Draymond Green on that defensive possession. You know, he likes the ISO right in the middle of the paint. Uh so, you know, he started coming downhill. I gave a little ground and stack always tell us it’s a time that you have to get serious. He say it’s time to get and you just try to pick that point. There’s nothing that says serious like checking your nails game, right? But this has been a drastic difference in Green’s defense on Shenon in games one versus two, three, four. Here you can see. And then Vanble Vleet, one more shot here. It’s a good look. Great look. Just a little bit short. The Warriors survived to take this game four. Here’s Jimmy Butler after the game. I thought it was winning time, doing certain things that the team needed me to do to go out there and help win. Finally, started moving a little bit better and uh happy to be able to go out there and compete with my guys. for him to gut through that first half and get the wheels going and then get turned up second half both ends of the floor. It’s why he is who he is and why he means so much to us. You’ve you’ve shrugged off their fans. Have you felt your restraint from yourself and kind of walking that line? I’m always walked that line. It’s who I am. Habitual line stepper. I’m just playing. Just like Donnie Cash walking the line, the Warriors have taken a 3-1 lead for the 12th time in the Curr era. They finished the deal 10 out of the previous 11 series, the only exception, of course, the 2016 NBA Finals, the world, etc., etc. And we looked at the Lakers defense and we said, “Damn, especially when they went into Denver and beat Denver and and and really re really beat them convincingly. We gave them props.” But ever since then, if you look at the Lakers, right, particularly since LeBron James has returned to the lineup, there over seven games, they’re three and four record. Their defensive rating 27th, fast break defense 28th, field goal percentage defense 26, three-point percentage defense 27th. We’ve looked at the Los Angeles Lakers defense and we said, “Where the hell have these guys gone?” And that’s what the real problem is here. Certainly, Luca needs to play better. We understand that. But who believes that Luca is going to fold come playoff time? We know better because we’ve seen better from him and we know he has the capability to get to that place. The problem with them is that defensively they don’t seem to be nearly as good as they need to be. And we certainly can’t say that about Golden State and that’s why what Wendy says is very profound. I think we went overboard with the Lakers when we first saw this new look team with Luca. We were drooling over how well they were playing defensively when they were locking down like it was a playoff run, right? When in reality it was going against a lot of teams in the regular season. Now they’ve hit that bump and everyone’s jumping ship. The truth is they’re somewhere in the middle. But the better story for the NBA has got to be the Lakers. The ability to relive the worst trade in NBA history over and over and over again as we work our way through the playoffs somehow. Not saying I I think the case being made that Golden State has the better chance to run deep, that’s absolutely true, but the story that the NBA would prefer this right here. I mean, you’re reliving the Luca trip. Well, we’re Well, if you want to talk about preference, guys, here’s what the NBA would really prefer. That the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State not meet in the first round. And that both Steph and LeBron pass the first round. The thing that that was driven home to me last night, other than watching a tremendous fourth quarter, because this was a fourth quarter played like a game five in a two- two series. Okay, let’s look at the standings again. If you don’t mind, you can put him back up on the screen. It is now crystal clear to me that whoever gets the three seed in the Western Conference, that’s where you want to be. Houston has played so well against a favorable schedule and they’ve got, by the way, Houston Rockets have a tough weekend. They got the They got the the Thunder tonight and then they got the Warriors. But I think I’m going to give the Rockets the second seed. They’ve got that three-game cushion. They take care of their business. What you’re probably going to see here, look at look at 345. Whoever gets in the three is going to be on the opposite side of the bracket as the Thunder and the four five. So if the if the Nuggets stay there in three, which they’re playing the Warriors tonight, it’ll be all different. That means they only have to to win the West, they have to beat one of the Warriors, the Lakers, and the and the Thunder. One of them. Same for the Lakers. If the Lakers can get back into three and they have to beat one of the Nuggets, Thunder, and Warriors, it changes everything. To me, and obviously it depends on what happens with the six seed, but to me, the three seed is what these teams are dreaming about. If you get in the three, you get a potentially uh weaker younger well, not weaker, but younger Rockets team and then you only have to play one of those teams in the conference finals if you can get past them. Well, you’re look you’re looking at it slightly different than me in this respect. You’re focused on the top, you know, the top ladder of those standards. I’m focused on if you’re a three seed, hope Memphis stays at the sixth seed. Okay? because even though they won the right, you have to say he’s the best point guard ever. The reason why Steph is my favorite player is because I’ve never seen anybody do it like he does. I’ve seen real greatness. If you’re not equal or above that, you get no props from me. All the great players have certain titles. It’s only one or two, three guys that you can talk about as the greatest ever. Two guys you can talk about the most dominant, but he’s going to sit by itself when it comes to best shooter ever. Like, you can’t even put him in the one of the best because of Steph. Now Reggie and Ray, those guys go down to one of the best shooters. That’s something about all by itself as the best shooter ever. I would actually pay to go see him. You have to say he’s the best point guard ever. So I’m having a discussion with my guy Jamal Crawford is he’s not traditional point guard. I’m like, but he’s listed as a point guard. You putting him over Magic. Yes. Yes. Of course I am. Yeah. You heard it here first. Okay. But he’s not a traditional point guard. That’s a good point. Jamal’s making the game has evolved. His position says point guard. Nobody’s gonna beat the best player in the world. Steph Curry. Best player in the world. Steph Curry is the best player in the world. Yeah, by far. Hell yeah. Best shooter in the world. Best player in the world. As Kenny would tell you, you can have a category, but the real ones are recognized by the championships that you have. Nobody plays better than Steph Curry. He’s he’s a tough shot taker, tough shot maker. I like where he’s he’s, you know, brought his career. I love Rocky type stories. Kenny was highly recruited coming out of New York. I was highly recruited. Steph was a highly recruited, so to be able to work that hard and be the best shooter and one of the best players in in the league, he gets my props for that. Do you think a fourth title puts him in your company? I’m talking top 10 all time. He’s already in my company. Me and Steven had this conversation before. You know, with so many great guys before us and even guys coming after us, some guys have their own special category that you can’t mess with. For example, when it comes to the most dominant, Wilt, myself, the GOAT, you always got Kobe, LeBron, and Mike. When it comes to the greatest shooter of all time, Steph Curry is in there by itself. Does that make him top 10? In my opinion, it does. I love the way he plays the game. He plays with with great energy, great passion. Well, Shaq, if you going to have him in your top 10, who the hell do you take out? Yourself, Will, Russell, Bird, Tim Duncan? Who do you take out? You know, the top 10 list is kind of kind of difficult to make. So I I think like we should always put it in a category. Top 10 guards, top 10 forwards, top 10 center. But is is he a top 10 player? Yeah, you got to take out somebody. You ain’t going to take me out, but you got to take somebody out. I’m wondering, not saying, I’m just wondering because he’s been consistently the best shooter his whole career. I’m wondering, is it time to start putting him as the best player of all time? Best player over. You put him over you in in the conversation. I’m asking you. Yes. You put him over you yourself. Steph Curry over you. Yeah, that this is why he’s my favorite player cuz I played 20 years, watched 20 years before that. I’ve never seen a guy like him and he’s doing it consistently and he has championships. You put him over. No, no, I’m not putting him anywhere. I’m saying his title is solidified. He’s the best shooter ever by far. But I’m saying because of what he’s done and how long he’s done it, do we put him in that conversation? He is one of the best at his position ever without question. So, does it put him in the conversation you’re saying? I I think I put Steph Curry in there. Speaking about special things, huge thank you to SY for sponsoring today’s video. After a decade of exploring the world, I’ve tried it all. Local SIM cards, expensive roaming plans, and unreliable Wi-Fi. But now, Sally has been a total gamecher. S is a dataonly eSIM service provider that allows you to switch between mobile carriers and plans on their devices without dealing with any physical SIM cards. In other words, it enables you to activate a cellular data plan just like with a traditional SIM card, but without having to buy or insert a new card. SY is perfect for travelers. It covers over 180 destinations, multiple countries, including all popular locations in Europe. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or heading abroad for the first time, staying connected doesn’t have to be stressful. Just choose your destination, pick a data plan, and activate before you go. And to get an exclusive 15% discount on sale data plans, head over to s.com/porrex or download the sale app and use code pots at checkout. The link is below in the description. Try s and connect instantly. Steph Curry is my favorite player. Yeah, I love Steph. Love Steph, how he plays. He plays the game the right way. His team, they move the ball, they share the ball. I love Steph Curry. There’s no guarding Steph Curry because he’s a unique player. He plays like Reggie Miller and Ray Allen on Ecstasy. Like they never stopped. But Steph never stops moving. So it ain’t the fact that he can shoot, he can dribble. Like he never stop. When he doesn’t have the ball, that’s when he’s dangerous. When he has the ball, he’s even more dangerous cuz he herkyjerky with the dribble. Okay. So there’s no guarding Steph. So you’re saying you can’t really game plan for him? No, you can’t. They call him the babyface assassin. He’s been a joy to watch for me. You know, people always say, “How come your favorite player is not a big man?” I played against the great like the Barkley. I’ve seen it all. Never quite seen anybody like that kid and that’s why he’s my favorite player. He does stuff that I’ve seen it in spurts. I play with a guy by the name of Makmoud Abdul Ro. Yeah. For four or five minutes in the game, he could do that. You know, I’ve seen it with the guys that this guy’s been doing his whole career and he’s a joy to watch. I’m anxious to see where the number stops when he stops playing in four to five years. I mean, he’s changed the game. Yeah, he’s changed the game for the better and for the worse at times. Yes. Uh because there’s a delusion of grandeur for a lot of players thinking that they can do what he does um and get away with it. Let’s check it out. You people must not know my real name. The black Steph Curry. Steph Curry. Curry. [Applause] Steph Curry. the Blackstone Curry. [Applause] I watched Portland the other day go four for 42 from the three. I memorized it. That’s the new game though. N that my question to you is has Steph Curry messed up. That’s not a game. Real talk. Cuz I I’m like, bro, nobody ever thought it was okay to shoot threes first to lead off. No. I saw a report that said the viewership is down. I have a theory that it’s down because we’re looking at the same thing. Everybody’s running the same plays. The damn top of the key, dribble, handoff, Steph Curry and those guys mess it up. Like I don’t mind Golden State back in the day shooting threes, but every team’s not a three-point shooter. So why everybody has the same strategy? I think it makes the game boring. Now it’s everything you switch everything. You got Victor Wimana guarding goddamn Donald Mitchell at the top of the key. That ain’t no good basketball. So, I think viewership will continue to go down unless we switch things back up. Kind of the Steph Curry effect. Talk to the Steph Curry is messing the game up. I’m on the internet now. I see a bunch of little kids dribbling, shooting 100footers to get warm, to start the game like, but he’s doing something for them. He’s giving them a chance. It’s all about watching these guys and, you know, learning from. But, you know, Steph, it probably is the most influential player when it comes to little people, right? I see a lot of little guards like little kids. I’m going to these tournament day. They’re doing stuff I can’t even do, right? And it’s good and bad. Nobody running the lane. Everybody stopping at the three-point line. And I coach Aaou, like I coach the Twins, you know what I mean? And like I said, it’s from the time they warm up, they’re shooting it from like the out of bounds line instead of like hitting layups and everything. And that’s literally the effect. And the whole team shoots threes now. So I understand, like you said, giving little people a chance is what Steph’s doing and giving them hope. But at the same time, like you said, there’s a reason why Steph is so great because he makes a lot of them shots. He makes a lot and I used to hate on him early on in his career like he ain’t going to make that but he kept proving me wrong. That’s why he my best player. I like being proved wrong. Yeah. So my message to these young caps when I say something prove me wrong. Yeah. Take it as a challenge. Prove me wrong. The speed, the prettiness, the efficiency, how the ball went in. Steph is my favorite player because again this is something I’ve never seen before. And when he first came in I hated on him. Did you really? I’m the guy that’s sitting on the couch and when he goes to the corner he throws it up. No way that goes in. and it goes in and then you know I wait and then finally he earned my respect and he’s my favorite player. I wish I could shoot like that cuz it looks pretty. I’m glad he’s playing in this era because if he played in our era DW I would had to touch him up and it would have hurt my heart having to touch him up because I just like watching him play like he’s must see TV like if I was the guy that didn’t play basketball and had kids who wanted to play basketball when the Golden State Warriors come to town I’m going to watch that’s going to I’m going to watch that and then you know the title of the best shooter ever to play don’t ask it’s him by far by leaps and bounds Steph is shooting 53% from three-point that’s insanity insane No, listen to me. I have to phrase this correctly, okay? Okay. Michael Jordan is the greatest player ever. Three-way defense, above the rim, and below the rim, but the greatest player below the rim ever is Steph Curry. Period. Really? Period. Below the rim, man. Listen, I watch this kid so much to where I get in hate mode. He ain’t going to make this shot. He just keeps doing it with consistency. This kid is the best shooter I’ve ever seen in the world ever. And I’ve seen a lot. I done played against Petravvic Stoyakovich. But this kid, this kid right here, being the fact that he wasn’t highly talked about coming out to where he is now, this kid is the best under the rim player ever. A guy like Steph Curry, when you say 60 million, the only thing you can say is okay. Okay. Period. Yeah, he deserves every little sticky penny of it. Plays the game the right way. Plays hard, never in trouble, beautiful family, come from a beautiful mother and father, represents the game how it should be uh represented, and has changed the game. Like when I’m riding on these court now, I see all these little kids. You can’t even all I mean Stop doing that. Yeah. Foreign Foreign speech. Foreign speech. Foreign speech. All right. Now, Make that nice. Foreign speech. Foreign speech. Foreign speech. [Music]

FIRST TAKE | He is REAL GOAT! – Stephen A. & Shaq on why Curry over LeBron, Warriors will win title