ESPN First Take – Knicks vs. Spurs, Game 1 Special
[Cari Champion]:
Hello, good day, America. Welcome to First Take. In the studio today, we have Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless, and our guest for today, Chris Broussard.
What a game we witnessed a few hours ago. Fans got a real treat—from disciplined defense and contested shots to logo bombs. A great start to the NBA Finals, with the Knicks taking the lead in the series. Skip, what are your thoughts on the Knicks' win, and who do you see winning the series?
[Skip Bayless]:
Crazy game. I am lost for words. Cari, let's start with the big man. My man Lin Yi showed why he's the BACK-TO-BACK-TO MVP!! He was like A5 Wagyu—just too tasty. The guy was gushing out with juices, absolutely gushing out!
(The panelists glance at him strangely. Skip shrugs it off.)
As I was saying before, being looked like a wierdo from the guys, Lin's performance was juicy and meaty. I'm full from the delicious performance in Game 1. Apart from Lin, Tyson Chandler had an excellent game—did his job at the rim, grabbed buckets in between. But for me, the standout players after Lin were Yao Ming and Chris Paul.
You all questioned whether Paul was built for the big lights, whether he had the clutch gene. Man, the dude answered the call. He stretched the lead when it mattered in the fourth quarter, when things got cagey, dicey—taking tough shots. Kudos to him. And Yao Ming, for his first Finals? The man deserves an A+. Solid performance.
But then there's one guy… Klay Thompson.
(Skip sighs before charging the bomb.)
Total trash! Trash of the highest order! The kid needs to wake up. This isn't kids' basketball—this is the NBA Finals! And you give me a stat line like that as the third scoring option?
Two-of-ten from the field for four points. FOUR POINTS! I GOT MORE FINGERS THAN THAT!
Same as last year in the Conference Finals when Paul went down. People expected him to step up, but no—man was busy twiddling his fingers! Disgrace! The Shame! Scandalous!
(Skip clears his throat, sips water, then continues.)
For me, winning the series? As I've always said, New York City will be getting a second banner in three years—even if that bum Klay doesn't pull his weight. And if they do, they'd without his help, they better ship his ass somewhere for someone better. Personally, I'd send him and a few pieces to Golden State for Curry. I'd love to see the Shooting Stars unite.
[Cari Champion]:
Strong words coming from Skip. Stephen A., what are your thoughts on Klay Thompson's performance?
[Stephen A. Smith]:
First of all, Skip, you are throwing the brother Klay under the bus. I'm not surprised by his subpar performance. The kid is in his sophomore year. He's gonna make mistakes, sometimes shrink under the spotlight.
To every Knicks fan and casual basketball supporter—listen. Not everyone is built like Lin Yi or Magic Johnson, who stormed into the league and delivered a chip in two years or less. These people are like sports cars built ready for speed when they hit the road.
(Stephen A. Smith, voice rising, leaning forward at the desk)
Do you understand the level of anomaly we're talking about here? Do you know how rare, how unheard of it is, to take that rickety, broken-down Knicks squad in '09–'10—drag them, claw them, carry them—into a semifinal, and almost win it?
From the very first day, Lin Yi was different. Pressure? He eats it for breakfast. Spotlight? He thrives in it. Limelight? He owns it.
Regular season time, playoff time, Finals time—it doesn't matter. The man is always Showtime. Always. Lin Yi was born clutch. He was built for the moment, engineered for the big stage, and every single time the lights shine brightest, he delivers.
(Stephen A. Smith relaxes into his seat after his passionate speech)
I know it's hard when everyone expects the same greatness from Klay. As Knicks fans, we have been spoiled silly by Lin. I know as fans we are desperate for success, and I don't blame you. After all, New York is THE BEST MARKET in the NBA, and we deserve the best. But, please, for all things sacred, give the brother some time.
The dude just needs to relax, tune out the noise, and play his game. Let Lin shoulder the burden—that's why he's the franchise cornerstone.
But don't mistake this as an excuse. No. No. NO. Klay, if you are watching this, we do need you to turn up as you have in previous games. You can't always expect Yao to shoulder the third scoring option burden. He doesn't have the legs of old.
[Cari Champion]:
Chris, anything to add?
[Chris Broussard]:
Absolutely. Let's look at this possession from the first quarter.
(Moves to the screen, breaking down the play.)
The Spurs brought in the Lin Rules. Everyone was tight on the Knicks, leaving only Kirilenko on Lin. But here's the problem compared to the MJ rules: Lin, in a one-on-one scoring position, is always a mismatch due to his height. Second, Lin doesn't have a weak hand. When the Pistons forced MJ to the left, he bricked shots. Lin doesn't have that problem—he's equally good with both hands.
And most of all, people weren't expecting him to shoot logo threes. That basically killed the rules. The Spurs had to switch to normal coverage and double-team Lin, which freed up the other Knicks.
As for Klay Thompson—yes, he's young, but he needs to step up. He's the third scoring option behind Lin and Chris Paul. The Spurs will always bring it with Duncan, Ginóbili, and Parker.
(Chris continues to speak as he moves back to his seat)
Right now, Klay is the weak link. If he doesn't adjust, Mike D'Antoni needs to make changes. Maybe play Danny Green more at shooting guard—he'll bring defense and hit corner threes. Or drop Lin to shooting guard and bring in Wilson Chandler at small forward when he's back from suspension in Game 3. At least that would stabilize things.
[Cari Champion]:
Strong takes all around. We'll be right back after the break—more Finals coverage coming up.
. . .
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