CAN WE PAUSE?! ✋ Luka, Kyrie & the Mavericks are putting Stephen A. on notice 👀 | First Take

CAN WE PAUSE?! ✋ Luka, Kyrie & the Mavericks are putting Stephen A. on notice 👀 | First Take

So these s through 10 spots in the west closely contested only three games separating the Warriors and the Kings among these four teams our ESPN analytics gives the Mavericks and Lakers Shannon the best chance to reach the Western Conference Finals okay so here’s the dlsa which Western Conference team

From the seventh seed or lower has the best shot of a Deep Run in the playoffs I’m going to give you some options but go wherever you want Dallas Lakers Golden State where’s your head Shannon sharp I never thought I would say this I’m going to give the Dallas

Mavericks a chance wow is that because you just left Texas I’m I’m gonna no no not at all listen I’m gonna give the Dallas marage a chance yo man what I’m seeing from Luca yeah is what I’m paying attention to Shannon don’t get me wrong

I’m looking at size and you look at the greatness of LeBron and Anthony Davis and knowing that you got to go up against the bigger teams I feel you on that this is it’s not one of those moments where I’m trying to actually refute what I suspect you’re going to

Say I’m just looking at Luca right now and I’m saying can we pause for a second to acknowledge what the hell we’re talking about and what what we’re seeing this brother right now they they Kyrie Irving and Luca donic have played together the last 16 games they’re 11

And five Kyrie’s averaging 25 on 51.7% shooting 42.7% from three-point range he’s doing his thing and we barely ever hear about him you know why Shannon because this dude Luca donic right here is averaging a triple double over the last 16 games 33.9 points 10.3 rebounds 10.6 assists nearly 40% shooting from

3point range and when I see how Unstoppable he is how no one seems to have an answer for him it’s not just his shot making ability his intellect on the offensive side of the ball but his his ability to control pace and Tempo and how that serves what Jason kid wants

To do he’s one of those guys Shannon where I’m looking at others and I’m saying your greatness is going to be required to knock off his greatness it’s not going to be enough to play good basketball it’s not going to be enough to go on a run and find a momentum it’s

Going to be called upon for the steps for the LeBron because we talk about playing and that’s where they at the steps the LeBron whatever it’s going to be called upon them to elevate their level of greatness to offset what this dude is throwing at them that’s where

I’m coming from with this Shannon and that’s the only reason I’m saying what I’m saying well considering Luca over his first six games I mean he’s averaging a triple over of his last seven but the six previous he had 30 point triple doubles and so that just

Goes to show their greatness I remember watching him and after his first year Stephen I said he was the C the closest thing that I had ever seen the Larry Bird before or since and people laughed at me but I don’t think people realize just how great bird was because bird was

A 24 10- six guy for his career that’s right he scored 24 points a game average 10 rebounds with six assists and then when you see Luca can score can score the ball better he can rebound just as well but he’s a better facilitator because he has the ball in his hands a

Lot more than Larry Bird I’m going take the Lakers for the simple fact I’m going to say their two-headed monsters which is Kyrie and Luca I think LeBron and AD can cancel those guys out now maybe they don’t score as much those two guys probably going to get you somewhere

Between 60 maybe 60 65 because Luca is going to probably it’s going to be hard to hold him under 35 Kyrie gives you 6 gives you 25 gives you his average that’s 60 if ad and LeBron can give you somewhere the mid to high 50s now you

Got to go to the the third guy can I keep that DLo going cuz DLo been off the chain Stephen A that’s what we hey and I told him don’t tell it the trade deadline is still an option so I want him to keep playing like he’s playing

Because he don’t know whether he’s going to come or or go I mean come or stay but he’s been playing unbelievable Austin re has been unbelievable all year and now ruy I don’t know if you’ve noticed Stephen A but ever since they put ruy in that starting lineup he’s looked really

Really well I it’s hard to say this now 1,000 am I like as sold or as definitive as I normally would be on the Lakers no because I’ve been watching the Maverick Mavericks and I’ve been watching Luca and what they’ve been doing but I just believe in a series with LeBron and and

Ad because I’m not so sure but and and and the Mavericks uh Tim Hardway Jr he’s an outlier because you never know he can go and give you 10 points a game or he can go eight eight for 12 from the three-point line and give game D’Angelo

Russell though CH D been playing good he been consistent lately Ste two of the last three games when they lost to Sacramento he had 10 points they beat Minnesota other night he had 13 now he dropped a 44 against I I thought that was spectacular

Well first of all I saw more than you because I actually show up to games in Los Angeles you know we can’t find you you understand I’m saying you all over the damn country I actually show up to the games you understand so the point

That I’m trying to make to you is that I’ve seen DLo no no no question he’s been for the most part he’s been very impressive since they put him back at the lineup but what was the knock against him because he was doing pretty damn well last year as the tail ta into

Of the regular season went into the play well and then the West Conference Finals you better put an APB out for him he couldn’t find him for about two months after that he either I mean that’s how much he disappeared so he’s got some stuff to prove and I’m saying to you

Hachimura Vanderbilt comes back that’ll Elevate the the Lakers defense but it will compromise them offensively in a lot of people’s eyes we have to see how that message which is why everybody’s been asking so many questions about Darin ham I think Austin Reeves has been

Up and down got a lot of confidence in him he’s been up and down of the look at Dallas wow they got some offense brother they can put it on you they can put it on you that’s all I’m saying they ain’t got no defense though understand

Understand L there you go what hey I don’t used Alice Alice call Alice He

CAN WE PAUSE?! ✋ Luka, Kyrie & the Mavericks are putting Stephen A. on notice 👀 | First Take
On First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe debate teams in the Western Conference that have the best chance to make a deep playoff run.
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