Stephen A. Smith, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Monica McNutt join Molly Qerim on First Take to discuss Kevin Durant’s request to be traded from the Phoenix Suns to either the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets or Miami Heat. Then, P.K. Subban joins to react to LeBron James’ comments on NBA “ring culture” and how the media puts such pressure on individual players to win a championship.
0:00 KD’s request
3:15 Stephen A. brings the stats
6:40 Monica disagrees with Mad Dog
9:50 LeBron’s comments
10:50 P.K. responds
13:15 “Y’all are missing the big picture”
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@IGotNoMeatt
June 19, 2025 at 12:42 am
The Phoenix suns have only made the playoffs TWICE since KDs Suns inception. You don’t OWE him anything at all. In fact , NO ONE on that roster deserves alot of anything. You look for the BEST deals first and then get KD his offer. Now it’s up to the Suns to give KD a nod because KD actually did show up and dropped numbers. That being said , this is business and I hear a lot of basketball players like Jimmy Butler saying the same thing to get what they want
What would Kobe say if he heard LeBron talking about Chips like they don’t mean nothing?
@kingmeruem1
June 19, 2025 at 1:09 am
This special treatment to some players should be stop. It was only hurting their former team
@jfacts192
June 19, 2025 at 1:09 am
Thank God for Mad Dogg being on this Show. Thank you Mad Dogg for always bringing the heat. Mad Dogg won this debate 100%.
@sdot6
June 19, 2025 at 1:11 am
Heโs going back to the warriors
@jfacts192
June 19, 2025 at 1:18 am
Since Durant mom’s confronted Stephen A. He became so soft when talking about Durant.
@CreativeLending
June 19, 2025 at 1:20 am
I want to see you guys defend LeBron like you are KD
@filamnightmare1
June 19, 2025 at 1:23 am
Mad Dog is right!!!!
@bjorn804
June 19, 2025 at 1:31 am
Mad Dog is right Suns doesn’t owe KD anything, stop being scared of KD’s Twitter fingers
@BugattiDreams
June 19, 2025 at 1:32 am
Monica fine shi but she soft. They all soft except mad dog. Best decision for team not kd. Why consider what he wants. Who is he? What he do? and Stephen A just chatting smh master contrarian doing what he do
@yannickkazadi989
June 19, 2025 at 1:35 am
Mad Dogg is making lots of sense lately.
@thelucidexperience
June 19, 2025 at 1:56 am
PKโs Cognitive Dissonance is INSANEEEEEEEE 16:31 how are you going to put the responsibility on LeBron to be successful and then in the same breath when asked about your ineptitude to get a championship blaming the front office for not putting the right team together miss me with that mess
@avontemurray2817
June 19, 2025 at 1:58 am
Does LeBron know Barry Bonds was on steroids
@cashflodigitalsportsnetwork
June 19, 2025 at 2:00 am
itโs not all about rings but how you lose is also keyโฆ greats go out swinging unless they old
Edit: how you win matters too as well as being entertaining like Cus told Tysonโฆ
@HoopsJunkie
June 19, 2025 at 2:03 am
Stephen A. spitting facts!!!๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ
@BruceChantelLehman-yr5ne
June 19, 2025 at 2:05 am
First time I’ve ever agreed with Mad Dog… But he is right. You always should make the best decision for the city and company.
@Cory_Vibez
June 19, 2025 at 2:18 am
๐๐๐๐๐
@barry6768
June 19, 2025 at 2:25 am
Send him to the wizards
@devans1266
June 19, 2025 at 2:27 am
Everybody can agree or disagree but let me say this KD donโt suck every time itโs time to ball he show up
@devans1266
June 19, 2025 at 2:27 am
Easy money ๐ด snapper
@sickofuhoesbru
June 19, 2025 at 2:37 am
Lebron pick and chooses im sure if he got 5 rings he wouldnโt say nothing lol
@sickofuhoesbru
June 19, 2025 at 2:37 am
Lebron bough his 4th ring
@sickofuhoesbru
June 19, 2025 at 2:38 am
Stephen A is so on point this guy calls out lebrons BS
@chadscott225
June 19, 2025 at 2:44 am
If you not a free agent you donโt have a choice๐คท๐ฝโโ๏ธ what happen to the rules make the nba the nba. Everybody got and want a choice you are a player not a Gmโฆ
@H8Hardy
June 19, 2025 at 2:48 am
Another goofy who enjoys talking about someone failures he actually smiling about it
This world getting more weird by the day
@jonathantaylor3668
June 19, 2025 at 2:52 am
PK is only on in lebron convos. Talk abt hockey bro lol