Stephen A. & Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo react to Mike Francesa's top 5 NBA players list | First Take

Stephen A. & Chris "Mad Dog" Russo react to Mike Francesa's top 5 NBA players list | First Take
Stephen A. Smith and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo react to Mike Francesa's top 5 NBA players list.
#firsttake #nba

[robertleon]

SAS looking lost asf once they started talking about the 69 finals lol

[prakharsingh]

They were bashing and praising LeBron at the same time the whole segment 🤣🤣🤣. I love it

[bigfkd]

Molly tried to interrupt and was shocked at how fast they could talk

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

Problem with a lot of these debates is that they're excluding a lot of the ABA stats. Which a good portion of top 25 players have accumulated.

[MrKT]

He's right about MJ, Lebron, Russell, and Kareem. The issue with Wilt is exactly what Mad Dog pointed out. Great talent but failed to finish. I'd put Magic at #5 who deferred to Kareem which impacted his production and Duncan at #6. I'd say Wilt at #7.

[emilricherson]

This notion that lebron not clutch is so not true lol

[corpyhogan]

Hold on mad dog??? You want to bring up that 2010 Boston series but what about the three years following?

[tompratt]

The problem with these 'debates' is that Wilt and Russell played so long ago that only a small percentage of us actually saw them play. Russell--who was a great winner but not at top 5 player--gets more credit as a player now than he should, and I think in general Wilt gets less than he deserves. Glad to see Kareem acknowledged. He's often left off these lists. And thank God no Kobe Bryant on the list. A top ten player for sure but not a top 5 and certainly shouldn't be in the GOAT debate. Many fans under 35--w/out historical context--rank him too high.

[sinatra]

The correct top-10:

1. Michael Jordan
2. LeBron James
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4. Wilt Chamberlain
5. Oscar Robertson
6. Larry Bird
7. Magic Johnson
8. Bill Russell
9. Hakeem Olajuwon
10. Jerry West

[UFACIL]

1. Jordan - 6 rings, 5 MVPs, 6 FMVPs.
2. Kareem - 6 rings, 6 MVPs, 2 FMVPs.
3. LeBron - 4 rings, 4 MVPs, 4 FMVPs.
4. Magic - 5 rings, 3 MVPs, 3 FMVPs.
5. Duncan - 5 rings, 2 MVPs, 3 FMVPs.
6. Kobe - 5 rings, 1 MVP, 2 FMVPs.
7. Shaq - 4 rings, 1 MVP, 3 FMVPs.
8. Bird - 3 rings, 3 MVPs, 2 FMVPs.
9. Curry - 4 rings, 2 MVPs, 1 FMVP.
10. Hakeem - 2 rings, 1 MVP, 2 FMVPs.

[RealBased]

It's pretty insane the numbers Wilt put up just to continuously not win it all.

[peatlow]

Prime Larry Bird over LeBron any day. Ask Worthy and Magic who they pick over LeBron. Larry Joe Bird could talk trash in your face and hit a game winner. Mastered the game like no other SF.

[christianmorgan]

Larry Bird and LeBron is a lot closer than people think even though I would give the slight edge to LeBron. But Stephen A acting like it's not close because LeBron is physically more gifted if asinine to me. Larry Bird didn't have the nutrition and the technology that LeBron and many athletes have now and it's not a knock it's just true. Bird has the edge offensively in terms of 3's, mid-range, free-throws, ball-handling, shot-creating, just as great if not a better playmaker, better rebounder, better post-game, steals, , basketball IQ, and i would want him in the clutch over LeBron (last 5 minutes in the game, and I want Larry shooting my 3, middy, and free-throw over LeBron.) It's a lot closer than you think.

[oceanview]

See, these great announcers know Jordan was the goat.

[SojiFro_]

Lol. Everyone’s list is different. I respect it though.

[tylerclayton]

Lebron is better than Bird in every way. Statistically Lebron is the most clutch player in NBA history with the most playoff game winners

[Tryingjoinaclan]

Wilt is just empty stats no matter how many

[fadz]

There’s barly any dirt take clips these day it’s annoying

[brandonmoucatel]

Sas is the least relevant guy on the set wow

[patrickgray]

I love Doggie but come on Wilt Chamberlain was the most dominant player thats played he had games when he destroyed Russell but Boston won that isnt Wilts fault that is Boston being better then Philly.