On First Take, Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins and Monica McNutt join Molly Qerim to discuss whether the Western Conference or the Eastern Conference will offer an easier postseason path to the NBA Finals.
0:00 Perk (inadvertently) argues the East’s difficulty
3:03 Stephen A. can’t trust Kawhi Leonard
4:18 Celtics are a “concrete roadblock” in the East
5:48 OKC not the same challenge in the West?
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@JDA89
March 28, 2025 at 8:52 pm
This is the dumbest question ive ever aeen as a topic lol.
1.Count the sheer amount of HOFs in the west.
2. Look at the standings. The #7;seed in west would have locked a playoff spot already in the Eastπ
3. The two MVP candidates are in the west
4. Luka and Lebron in the west
5. The amount of playoff experience in the west.
5. The east is and always in a 3 team race. The west has 7 legit contenders every year.
Stop It. Get Some Help.
@TwanTV-r9p
March 28, 2025 at 8:54 pm
Dame might not return remember Chris Bosh retired cause blood clots
@NGC1986
March 28, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Had this debate with someone recently. I think it depends on how you look at it. There are more βgoodβ teams in the west.. but only one βcontenderβ. There are more βmediocreβ teams in the east.., but two βcontendersββ¦ so whatβs harder? Beating 3 βgoodβ teams to get there or one great/contending team? Odds of losing to a team who is a contender in a series is much higher than a good one, so Iβd argue overall the East is tougher
@tripdagrim2504
March 28, 2025 at 9:07 pm
How is the west easier? If everyone is healthy come playoff time you got,
Okc clearly ahead of everyone
Bron/Luka and Lakers are dangerous
Jokic/Murray and Nuggets are dangerous
Harden/Kawhi and Clippers could be dangerous
Steph/Jimmy and Warriors are a sleeper
Rockets are a sleeper
@BaseballStarAaron
March 28, 2025 at 9:09 pm
How is this even a question man
@reneepeters2478
March 28, 2025 at 9:15 pm
THESE GIRLS ARE A MESS… ASK CLEAR QUESTIONS PLEASE! GEEEEEZ.
@mikielsahagun6054
March 28, 2025 at 9:21 pm
So 61 wins doesn’t say “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!” (Gandalf voice)?
@javiercarrillo914
March 28, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Boston was also a wall in 2022 and look what happened
@TashjianSimms
March 28, 2025 at 9:28 pm
π€£π€£π€£π€£
@TashjianSimms
March 28, 2025 at 9:33 pm
Kp n dem can b funny some days
@aidanmcconnell2154
March 28, 2025 at 10:00 pm
As a clippers fan SAS is 100% right about kawhi
@jamaalhooks8256
March 28, 2025 at 10:29 pm
Molly better stop acting like Monica didn’t refuse to answer whether The Clippers or Lakers would do better in the playoffs.
@marcuswhite-rg5lj
March 28, 2025 at 10:32 pm
West, Got Pistons in the tougher East.
@warrenwashington609
March 28, 2025 at 10:49 pm
Perk a whole fool! πππ
@hoop2477
March 28, 2025 at 10:51 pm
LeBron got him saying anything just to hate bruh the east is easier
@shaylomontgomery9401
March 28, 2025 at 11:15 pm
Why doesn’t ESPN fire Stephen a Smith. They need to get rid of this guy
@KiddZomakk1
March 28, 2025 at 11:17 pm
Yall are gonna have a rude awakening when my Pacers win the finals
@tx_spook_la
March 28, 2025 at 11:26 pm
I’m 42 yrs young I’ve never had any kind of interest in watching Game Of Thrones π€·πΎββοΈ
@jmaster387
March 29, 2025 at 12:00 am
Already starting this narrative incase the lakers make it π€
@Big11449
March 29, 2025 at 12:01 am
Stephen A setting up Bronβs βroad to prosperityβ π
@chrystophergladhill5577
March 29, 2025 at 12:06 am
Celtics in six
@jkj03_
March 29, 2025 at 12:15 am
The league wants a Celtics vs Lakers finals. Come back to this when it happens
@tin-n6u
March 29, 2025 at 1:16 am
kendrickperkins
@tin-n6u
March 29, 2025 at 1:20 am
monicam
@Darren-u8x
March 29, 2025 at 2:04 am
The most significant factor that gives the Celtics an edge over the Cavaliers and the Thunder is their wealth of playoff experience. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have been consistently deep in the playoffs in recent years. They have a proven track record of success in high-pressure games, including an appearance in the NBA Finals last season. Tatum, Brown, and Holiday are seasoned postseason players who know how to handle the intensity of playoff basketball. Their ability to perform under pressure, demonstrated through their deep playoff runs, provides them with a significant advantage over teams like OKC and Cleveland, who are still relatively untested in the postseason.
In contrast, both the Cavaliers and Thunder, while impressive in the regular season, have not shown the same level of sustained playoff success. The Cavs have a young core that includes Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, but they lack the kind of playoff experience that Tatum, Brown, and Holiday bring. Their previous postseason appearances ended in second-round exits, which raises concerns about their ability to step up when the stakes are highest. Similarly, the Thunder, while boasting a dynamic young roster led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have yet to prove themselves in the grueling playoff atmosphere, making their postseason prospects uncertain.
The Celtics have established a championship-winning culture. Under the leadership of head coach Joe Mazzulla, the team has demonstrated resilience and mental toughness. They have had their ups and downs throughout the regular season, but their championship mentality remains intact. Their ability to stay focused during adversity, combined with their belief in the system, gives them an edge in the playoffs, where mental fortitude is often the difference between winning and losing.
The Cavaliers and Thunder, on the other hand, lack the same championship culture. While they have shown flashes of brilliance, they have not yet demonstrated the consistent excellence required to make a deep postseason run. The pressure of the playoffs often brings out the best in veteran teams, and the Celticsβ roster is filled with players who have not only been through multiple playoff battles but also come out on top. This experience and culture are indispensable when it comes to competing for a title, especially when the competition is fierce.
@AlexisCando-yg6kk
March 29, 2025 at 2:26 am
SAS saying the East is harder??… Look at the record SAS… The 8th seed in the West which is currently the Wolves has the same record as the 5th seed in the East which is the Pistons… Like common now… SAS is smoking weed
Edit 1: The West 6th-8th seed almost has the identical records as the 4th and 5th seed in the East like are we serious right now… SAS, you are losing it lately
Edit 2: The West arguably has 2 of the best players in the league right now and top 2 in MVP voting in SGA and Nikola Jokic so what is this none sense
@denissallanyu4034
March 29, 2025 at 2:52 am
What? Stephen A Smith is losing it after the Lebron feud. His takes are horrible