NBA considers radical ‘3-2-1’ draft lottery to fight tanking
The NBA is weighing a new ‘3-2-1’ draft lottery aimed at punishing tanking but critics warn it could keep bad teams stuck at the bottom.
Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith reunited on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday, marking a highly anticipated show years in the making. The two picked up right where they left off when Bayless departed the show in 2016, reigniting their trademark chemistry and spirited debates.
The show opened with a heated debate about the Los Angeles Lakers’ strengths, questioning whether they would fare better with or without Luka Doncic, a hypothetical that energized the conversation. The duo also broke down the Lakers’ performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals. The friendly rivalry was on full display as Smith took a playful jab at Bayless’s signature drink, Diet Mountain Dew, teasing its merit after Bayless contended that Doncic wouldn’t be a difference-maker on offense.
Their banter escalated as the conversation shifted to the Dallas Cowboys, a recurring subject that always generates fireworks between the two. Smith, known for ribbing Bayless over his allegiance to the Cowboys, came prepared with a social video clip of Bayless throwing his Cowboys jersey in the trash. The moment underscored Smith’s argument that being a New York Knicks fan might be less agonizing than supporting the Cowboys.
The debate reached a fever pitch when the conversation turned to LeBron James. Bayless declared LeBron as only the ninth-best NBA player of all time, ranking Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Shaquille O’Neal as his top three. His stance quickly drew a passionate rebuttal from Smith, who argued that LeBron deserved the number two spot on any all-time list, citing his impressive resume, longevity, and impact on the game. Smith playfully chastised Bayless for even considering a debate on LeBron’s greatness, adding that Bayless’s rankings were “borderline blasphemous.”
The lively exchange was punctuated by Bayless’s trademark wit, as he slipped in a clever CarShield pun, referencing Smith’s well-known role as a CarShield spokesperson.
Bayless departed ESPN in 2016 after a 12-year tenure, having co-hosted First Take alongside Smith for much of that time. With his contract set to expire that August, Bayless transitioned to Fox Sports, where he launched the debate show Skip and Shannon: Undisputed.
