Latest news with #FirstTake
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum raises eyebrows with apparent on-air Brian Windhorst weight dig
ESPN NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum raised some eyebrows when he cracked a crude joke about NBA senior writer Brian Windhorst on 'Get Up' Friday morning. The moment occurred during a segment, 'Are You Convinced?' when Dan Graziano, filling in for host Mike Greenberg, asked Tannenbaum if he thought Aaron Rodgers would lead the Steelers to their first playoff win since the 2016 season. 'No,' Tannenbaum said as laughter was heard in the background. 'I'm more convinced that Windy is in the cafeteria right now.' Windhorst, who recently made headlines after LeBron James publicly trolled him, was in the studio and appeared on Friday's show — however, he was not involved in that particular segment. 'No idea where Windy is,' Graziano added. ESPN senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst on 'Get Up' Friday, June 27, 2025. YouTube/ESPN Some viewers were curious about Tannenbaum's joke. 'Did Mike Tannenbaum just make fun of Brian Windhorst's weight on national TV?' one person wrote on X, including a clip of the moment. 'Is this inside joke that Windhorst hates the ESPN cafeteria?' another said. ESPN NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum on 'Get Up' Friday, June 27, 2025. YouTube/ESPN Earlier in the show, everyone was busting Windhorst for walking into a live camera shot. Graziano called out Windhorst after he unknowingly walked behind him while on the air. 'Windy is a little lost in the new studio,' ESPN wrote, including a clip of the moment on social media. ESPN's morning shows, including 'Get Up' and 'First Take,' moved from its Seaport Studios home to 7 Hudson Square in Lower Manhattan this month. Tannenbaum, a former GM for the Jets, didn't clarify if his joke was related related to Windhorst's camera mishap. During an appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show' in March, James publicly criticized Windhorst, calling him 'weird' and questioning his portrayal of their relationship. 'This guy who says he's like my f–king best friend, these guys are just weird,' James said. Windhorst has extensively covered James' career since his high school days.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brian Windhorst reveals what Tyrese Haliburton ‘won' despite Pacers' NBA Finals loss
The post Brian Windhorst reveals what Tyrese Haliburton 'won' despite Pacers' NBA Finals loss appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Indiana Pacers' storybook 2025 postseason run ended in heartbreak Sunday night with a 103–91 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. It marked the franchise's first Finals appearance since 2000 and concluded a remarkable stretch that saw Indiana defy expectations and reach the championship stage despite entering the playoffs as underdogs. Advertisement The loss was compounded by a devastating first-quarter injury to star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who tore his Achilles just seven minutes into the game. At the time of the injury, Haliburton had already scored nine points and appeared poised to deliver a signature performance on the league's biggest stage. His early exit proved costly, as the Pacers struggled offensively in his absence and were unable to keep pace with the Thunder. Despite the somber ending, Haliburton drew praise across the NBA for his playoff performance and the composure he displayed throughout the postseason. On Tuesday's episode of First Take, ESPN's Brian Windhorst offered a heartfelt reflection on what Haliburton had still 'won,' even as Indiana fell short of the title. 'Tyrese, I know that you did not win this game and I know that you are facing a long recovery,' Windhorst said. 'But you did win something: You won over millions of new fans because if you didn't know Tyrese Haliburton and the type of player he is and the type of clutch player he is, you know him now after seeing those shots.' Tyrese Haliburton's standout postseason earned league-wide respect despite the Pacers' Finals loss © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Haliburton had averaged 17.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game throughout the 2025 NBA Playoffs and had been instrumental in the Pacers' victories over the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. His high basketball IQ, elite passing, and timely shot-making were central to Indiana's deep run. Advertisement Windhorst emphasized that Haliburton's reputation around the league had also reached new heights. 'The second thing is you won over the respect of everybody in this league because I'm watching on social media as all of these players are reacting to seeing this moment,' Windhorst said. 'They all respect what you did… Tyrese may have not gotten a championship, but he made a statement for the rest of his life the way he handled himself in this situation and over the last two months.' The Thunder, led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, capitalized on the Pacers' misfortune and delivered a strong second half to secure the franchise's first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander finished Game 7 with 29 points and was named Finals MVP. Windhorst concluded by noting Haliburton's early rhythm in Game 7 and how it could have altered the outcome. Advertisement 'One of the biggest, heartbreaking things about this whole situation is he was playing great,' Windhorst added. 'I hate to say it, but he might've scored 40 points in this game… we'll never know.' Though the Pacers fell short of the title, Haliburton's emergence as a franchise cornerstone and respected league figure remained one of the defining stories of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Related: Paul George makes suggestion after Tyrese Haliburton injury Related: Rick Carlisle breaks silence on Myles Turner's free agency
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Stephen A. Smith accused of 'ruining' the NBA Draft as criticism mounts against $100m ESPN star
ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has been accused of 'ruining' the NBA Draft by basketball fans on social media as well as others who cover the sport, such as OutKick's Dan Dakich. Dakich spent a long portion of his show on Friday airing his grievances with Smith, as the episode was titled ' WOKE ESPN & Stephen A. Smith RUINED The NBA Draft'. Smith is a staple of ESPN's NBA coverage but has rarely spent time covering the athletes being drafted this week, with Dakich, a former college head coach, taking exception with the network's decision to put him on the broadcast. 'The best in the draft was always Fran Fraschilla, but Fran Fraschilla is a middle aged white guy. Fran Fraschilla doesn't yell, scream, rant and rave and act like an idiot,' Dakich said. 'He knows every foreign player. Seth Greenberg on radio knows every current player. But you can't do it because, well, you gotta have some brothers.' 'You got to have loud, you got to have stupid. And, oh, by the way, they're paying the dude 20million a year, which is the dumbest deal in the history of television. I still say this. Can anybody show me where First Take is the highest rated show in the morning like Smith claims? Can anybody show me where Stephen A. Smith makes the money back that he's being paid, anybody? You can't, there's no chance.' Earlier this year, Smith signed a 5-year, $100million deal with the network, locking him in through 2030 to ESPN. Dakich also called the ESPN star 'Screamin' A. Smith' for how he acts on national television. Dakich and Smith were co-workers at ESPN from 2012 until 2021, with Dakich helping with the network's college basketball coverage. 'ESPN needs to stop putting Stephen A Smith on every event he is not needed for the NBA draft you got staff that been following college ball all year far more knowledgeable,' one fan said on social media. Smith has been under a microscope for all of 2025, first toying with a run to be the Democratic nominee for President in 2028. Earlier this month, he came under fire for not paying attention during an NBA Finals Game, as he was caught playing on his phone while the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers squared off in front of him. Smith responded on X: 'Yep! That's me. Who would've thought….I can multi-task. Especially during TIMEOUTS! Hope y'all are enjoying the NBA Finals. This is going 7 games now, peeps!' Yet, the photographer named Kimberly hit back in an instant, shutting down Smith's claim that it was captured during a timeout. 'Fool, this was you during game play,' she replied along with another picture of him tackling the card game. 'There's videos. You started this new round during timeouts.'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's Tim MacMahon: Buckets, not leadership, is what Houston needs most from Kevin Durant
ESPN's Tim MacMahon: 'Kevin Durant's Twitter bio says, 'I do me, and I chill.' That's all the Rockets need from him. This is not a team that needs to change its culture.' On ESPN's First Take, one of Thursday's roundtable discussion questions was what kind of leader the Houston Rockets might need Kevin Durant to be in the 2025-26 season. Tim MacMahon, who covers the Rockets more closely than anyone else at the network, wasn't having it after hearing comments by former NBA player Markieff Morris that Houston might need Durant to be more of a vocal leader. In an extended rant, MacMahon made it clear: Houston simply needs buckets and to revive its halfcourt offense. MacMahon's comments: Kevin Durant's Twitter bio says, 'I do me, and I chill.' That's all the Rockets need from him. They do not need rah-rah speeches. This is not a team that needs to change its culture. It has done a massive, and successful, cultural transformation over these last few years. It started with the hiring of Ime Udoka and the signing of Fred VanVleet. Steven Adams is another veteran there who has won a lot, and whose voice resonates when he wants to use it. This is not a team that has a leadership void. This is a team that has a phenomenal culture. They're tough, they're nasty. They need freaking buckets, and Kevin Durant can supply those in bunches. That's all he has to do in Houston. To MacMahon's point, with VanVleet and Adams both signing new contracts with the Rockets this month, there shouldn't be any leadership void. The Rockets just need their offense to catch up with their top-five defense — and if it does, Houston should have a legitimate championship contender on its hands. Enter Durant, an All-Star last season and one of the greatest NBA scorers of all-time. More: With Kevin Durant in fold, Rockets' odds surge for 2026 NBA Finals
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shannon Sharpe's ESPN return never happening, says Le Batard as Disney wants no part of rape controversy
Shannon Sharpe's ESPN career faces uncertainty following sexual assault allegations (Getty Images) I n the wake of sexual assault allegations, Shannon Sharpe's once-promising ESPN career may be nearing an unofficial end, according to former network personality Dan Le Batard. The media veteran recently weighed in on the controversial case during an episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, casting serious doubt on the Hall of Fame tight end's return to the 'worldwide leader in sports.' Shannon Sharpe 's future at ESPN appears grim after civil lawsuit bombshell Shannon Sharpe's future at ESPN is hanging by a thread as Dan Le Batard suggests Disney wants no association with the NFL legend amid explosive rape allegations and public backlash. 'I guess we probably all know at this point that Shannon Sharpe is not likely to ever work at ESPN again, right?' Le Batard remarked. The speculation comes months after Sharpe was accused of sexual assault in a $50 million civil lawsuit filed in Nevada. The complaint includes claims of assault, sexual battery, and coercion, stemming from alleged incidents in late 2024 and early 2025. Max Kellerman is BACK! Will Shannon work at ESPN again? Would Max/Stephen A politics have worked? Sharpe, who joined ESPN's 'First Take' in 2023 following his high-profile exit from FS1's 'Undisputed,' has denied all allegations through his legal team. In a statement issued earlier this year, attorney Lanny J. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nhà container vận chuyển thực sự có giá bao nhiêu? - Xem giá Shipping Container Homes Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Davis said: 'Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of 'rape' — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail.' Despite his public denial, Sharpe stepped away from ESPN in April, stating: 'At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me.' Stephen A. Smith 'hopeful' for Shannon Sharpe's return, but public pressure looms large Stephen A Smith on Lebron James - Shannon Sharpe - Shedeur Sanders - ESPN - Michael Jordan - Podcast While Sharpe had initially signaled intentions to return in time for the NFL preseason, that timeline now seems increasingly unlikely. Even ESPN has distanced itself, telling the New York Post, 'This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon's decision to step away.' Stephen A. Smith, ESPN's marquee figure, offered a measured show of support, saying in May, 'He is emphatic that he is innocent… But the court of public opinion is what the Disneys of the world and others concern themselves with.' Also Read: Aaron Rodgers betrayed the Jets by sabotaging Garrett Wilson, hijacking play calls, and pushing a Davante Adams agenda Sharpe continues to host his personal shows, 'Club Shay Shay' and 'Nightcap' with Chad Ochocinco. But as legal battles mount and reputational damage continues, Dan Le Batard's prediction may be less speculation—and more inevitability. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
