After renowned NBA analyst Max Kellerman left ESPN’s First Take, it seemed like there is no one to go toe-to-toe with veteran NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith. But following a few tries, it seems ESPN has found the perfect person to pair up with Smith.
Yes, we are talking about none other than Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo. Russo has been engaging with Smith with some pretty hot takes. But even for Russo, his most recent take might be a little too hot.
In an episode of the show, Russo claimed that between Ja Morant and Allen Iverson, he will pick Ja. Here are the reasons that Russo stated for his choice.
“He’s better than Allen Iverson. I mean, because he makes a lot of people around him better. Iverson was a wonderful competitor, and he was a Hall of Famer, but he’s not a transcendent star. Iverson was a poor shooter, and he was a bad 3-point shooter. And he was not great – if you look at his shooting percentages – in huge games. Morant has got that special quality that has a tendency to make a lot of those guys in that team – (like) Dillon Brooks, who aren’t great players – to rise them to a level. And he’s in a better conference than Iverson was – the Eastern Conference, which was never great when he played there. If you’re asking me right now who is going to have a better career, who is going to be more transcendent in the NBA, it’s not even a contest. Morant is going to be much better than Allen Iverson.”
Chris "Mad Dog" Russo is coming in HOT with this take 😳
“[Ja Morant] is better than Allen Iverson.” pic.twitter.com/R9fevLJBuo
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 23, 2022
Upon hearing this take from Russo, Stephen A. Smith became furious and even claimed to call security to get Russo out of the studio.
“You came on this show to spew that blasphemy?! How you? What! Let me tell you something dog. … After this break I’m gonna call security to have you removed from this studio. I can’t believe what you just said. You are gonna disrespect Allen Iverson?!
I need SECURITY to have @MadDogUnleashed removed from the building for calling JA MORANT better than ALLEN IVERSON!!!! pic.twitter.com/H0yLbipwFM
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 23, 2022
Usually, when Russo and Smith engage in conversation, they provide fans with a lot of hot takes. More often than not, fans enjoy it, but this time around that’s not the case.
Allen Iverson is one of the most iconic superstars to ever play in the league. Moreover, he was a beast on the court. Although Ja has a lot of potential, his career has just started. There is still a long way for him to go before surpassing the likes of Iverson.
