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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein's ‘funny' response to Stephen A. Smith diss
The post Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein's 'funny' response to Stephen A. Smith diss appeared first on ClutchPoints. After becoming an NBA champion, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein kept his receipts for those who didn't always believe, including ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith. Smith has been ridiculed for his hometown takes on the New York Knicks, which led to a stray when he questioned the starting center's promotion in New York. It was the season that caught Oklahoma City's eye. The Thunder offered Hartenstein a three-year, $87 million contract. Hartenstein addressed Smith's comments from his days with the Knicks per Podcast P with Paul George. 'The funny thing is when I saw it, it wasn't like I wasn't playing at the time, I was playing; I was a big part of the team at the time,' Hartenstein said. 'I don't know who showed it to me like, 'Yo, you saw this?' I was like, 'What?' Funny thing is he came back to be at the Finals like, 'Bro, I miss you in New York.' So, we cool and stuff but I think just at the time, it was funny.' For Hartenstein, Smith's comments were an example of the entertaining lives NBA analysts lead, which Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault points out regularly to his team. 'That's kind of what Mark, our coach, talks about, a lot, just blending out the machine,' Hartenstein added. 'Most of these people, he said, they put on makeup before they get on set. Most of them don't watch every single game. They're doing what's what best TV. So, it's no hard feelings. We're good.' Averaging 8.1 points on 61.9% shooting, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.8 steals per game throughout the postseason, Hartenstein played a critical role for the Thunder. Starting in 20 of 23 playoff games, Hartenstein was a defensive anchor for Oklahoma City and was often remembered for setting some of the toughest screens for his teammates. Isaiah was a consistent thorn in the side of his opponents as Stephen A Smith watched up close. Isaiah Hartenstein on the differences between Thunder, Knicks Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein addressed the differences between the Knicks and Thunder, following his first season with his new team. For Hartenstein, the Thunder are a much closer-knit team, which shows in their approach to playing basketball, he said, per the Rich Eisen Show. 'Yeah, I think it was just a mixture of things. I mean, Sam Presti has a great culture he built out there,' Hartenstein said. 'They were first in the West the year before. Just playing style kind of fit me pretty good. We're moving the ball, playing together.' Hartenstein also admitted that the $87 million contract helped him make his decision to join the Thunder. Related: Tyrese Haliburton breaks down Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander path to becoming MVP Related: Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Stone Cold Steve Austin with rare honor
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ESPN Viewers Praise 'First Take' For Molly Qerim Replacement
ESPN Viewers Praise 'First Take' For Molly Qerim Replacement originally appeared on The Spun. Molly Qerim wasn't leading the charge for "First Take" this Friday morning. The longtime ESPN host had the day off for undisclosed reasons. Qerim has been the host of "First Take" since 2015. She does an excellent job handling some of the most unpredictable personalities in sports TV, such as Stephen A. Smith, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and Ryan Clark. "In addition to covering all the championship events, Qerim has a breadth of experience with celebrity red carpets, A-list musical and TV/film guest interviews, UFC/MMA coverage, tennis, boxing and more," Qerim's bio for ESPN states. "Off camera, Qerim is a philanthropist and ambassador for Boys and Girls Club of America, the Innocence Project and is an advocate for endometriosis awareness." With the NFL regular season around the corner, Qerim and the "First Take" crew will have plenty of topics to argue about. In the meantime, Peter Schrager is handling any training camp-related stories this Friday. Before this Friday's show kicked off, Schrager shared a photo of him on the set of "First Take." Judging by the reactions to Schrager's post, ESPN viewers want him to be the full-time host. "Please bring some integrity to this show. We look up to you for your honesty and journalism," one fan commented. "No screaming matches please!" Another fan said, "You should be the full-time host, Peter." "ESPN, please for the love of GOD, make this permanent," a third fan wrote. "That's awesome man, miss what GMFB used to be with you, Nate, Kay, and Kyle, but you deserve all of this, one of the best grinders in the business," a fourth fan said. Schrager, who recently worked for NFL Network, signed a multi-year agreement with ESPN in April. He's expected to appear on "Get Up" and "First Take" among other shows. "Peter will have an instant impact at ESPN combining his charismatic style and deep knowledge of the NFL," ESPN president of content Burke Magnus said. "His versatility is an asset and will be on display across our shows and platforms as he becomes a signature voice of our NFL coverage. He is a tremendous addition to our roster." Suffice to say, ESPN has big plans for Viewers Praise 'First Take' For Molly Qerim Replacement first appeared on The Spun on Jul 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ESPN's Molly Qerim Issues Apology On 'First Take'
ESPN's Molly Qerim Issues Apology On 'First Take' originally appeared on The Spun. ESPN host Molly Qerim issued an apology for an embarrassing blunder on "First Take" on Tuesday morning, July 22. The popular morning debate show was unsurprisingly talking about the Dallas Cowboys, as they always do, on Tuesday morning. "First Take" and its panel of analysts often like to criticize the Cowboys for being overhyped. However, they can't stop talking about Jerry Jones' team, contributing to the very thing they have a problem with. Alas, on Tuesday, "First Take" got fooled by a fake tweet. The ESPN morning show aired a clip of an alleged touchdown pass between Dak Prescott and new wide receiver George Pickens. However, that play never actually took place. It was a clip of an old training camp touchdown from Dak Prescott to Brandin Cooks. The account, @FergSZN, fooled people on Twitter by using an old clip and titling it: "First play of Cowboys Training Camp is a Dak Prescott BOMB to George Pickens 👀👀." Longtime ESPN host Molly Qerim, who has been leading the show with Stephen A. Smith since 2015, narrated the false highlight clip on the air. "During the team's first play of training camp," she narrated, "we saw Dak Prescott able to find Pickens for a massive touchdown. Obviously, a great way to start the day." People fall for fake highlights and news on social media all the time, but you would think that ESPN's "First Take" would be a little better with the fact check. Qerim ultimately apologized for the mistake later on Tuesday morning, admitting to the screwup. ESPN wasn't the only outlet fooled, either, as a Sports Illustrated site wrote up the play as being one from 2025, too. "Welcome back to 'First Take.' Quick cleanup on our part. Earlier, we showed video that we identified as George Pickens at Cowboys training camp," she said. "It was not George Pickens, so we apologize on that mistake." Pickens, a second round NFL Draft pick out of Georgia in 2022, was traded from the Steelers to the Cowboys this offseason. Pickens had 59 catches for 1,000 yards and three touchdowns with the Steelers in 2024. The Cowboys are hoping he'll prove to be an elite No. 2 option, playing alongside CeeDee Lamb in the Dallas offense. Dallas, coming off a disappointing season in 2024, will look to rebound in a major way in 2025. The Cowboys and the Eagles are scheduled to open the season on Thursday, Sept. 4. ESPN's Molly Qerim Issues Apology On 'First Take' first appeared on The Spun on Jul 22, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Rich Eisen to take over ESPN Radio's noon slot: Sources
'The Rich Eisen Show' will be the new centerpiece of ESPN Radio, with its program airing nationally from noon-3 p.m. ET beginning Sept. 2, sources briefed on the move told The Athletic. In May, The Athletic reported that a strong possibility existed for Eisen's program to be a staple of ESPN Radio. It will also appear on Disney+ and ESPN+, as well as ESPN's full direct-to-consumer app that is set to debut in the fall. Advertisement The show that is currently in the noon slot, 'Joe & Q,' featuring Joe Fortenbaugh and Qiant 'Q' Myers, will be disbanded. Fortenbaugh, a sports betting guru, will focus on his TV and radio spots, while Myers will be a Monday-Friday late-night host on ESPN Radio 'GameTime.' The rest of the lead-in lineup, including its morning drive show, 'Unsportsmanlike,' hosted by Evan Cohen, Chris Canty and Michelle Smallmon, and the 10 a.m.-to-noon show 'Clinton & Friends,' centered on Clinton Yates, will remain the same. 'The Rich Eisen Show' will be on at the same time as 'The Pat McAfee Show' and will be available on ESPN, the forthcoming ESPN DTC and YouTube. Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith is beginning a new SiriusXM program that will compete directly with Eisen. Smith remains the star of 'First Take.' The Rich Eisen Podcast Network will also be on ESPN's platforms and will include a new, yet-to-be-named podcast that will have Eisen, a former SportsCenter host from 1996-2003, interviewing colleagues from his run behind the desk.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith Responds To President Trump's NFL Warning
Stephen A. Smith Responds To President Trump's NFL Warning originally appeared on The Spun. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith returned to "First Take" this Monday and immediately called out the president of the United States. On Sunday afternoon, President Donald Trump said the Washington's NFL team should bring back their old name. He claims the franchise would be more valuable if they ditch the Commanders brand. Trump didn't stop there with his rant about the Commanders. He threatened to hold up the team's deal for a new stadium if they don't go back to being the Redskins. "I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,' I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The Team would be much more valuable, and the Deal would be more exciting for everyone." While on "First Take" this Monday morning, Smith fired back at Trump. "I think that the president's being petty. I think it's him being evasive," Smith said. "It's just him catering to his base to make sure that he serves to appease them in some way, to distract them from other issues, including the Epstein files, by the way. "By the looks of the laws, and what has transpired on the books, it seems to be little to nothing that Trump can do about this other than make noise. But again, it does assist him in appealing to his base. We understand that." Just two months ago, Trump spoke highly of Smith during an appearance on NewsNation. "Stephen A. is a good guy, he's a smart guy. I love watching him. He's got great entertainment skills, which is very important. People watch him. You know, a lot of these Democrats I watch, I say they have no chance," Trump said. "I've been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you I'd love to see him run." The president may change his opinion of Smith after hearing this Monday's A. Smith Responds To President Trump's NFL Warning first appeared on The Spun on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
