Andre Iguodala Offers Inarguable Proof That No One Should Ever Take ESPN’s Max Kellerman Seriously
Let Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala provide the evidence if you needed further proof that people should take ESPN talking heads Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith’s opinions with the tiniest grain of salt.
Some of Kellerman and Smith’s opinions are just that: opinions, and you know how the rest of the saying goes. Then, there’s times where both speak nonsense into the universe. And then, you have the times where even the nonsense has to stop when it hears an opinion and shakes its head in disbelief.
Max Kellerman once said he’d want Andre Iguodala to take the final shot over Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson
Love him or hate him, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is one of the greatest sharpshooters in NBA history. The tape says it, and the statistics and the 47.7% shooting percentage further prove it.
Curry and Klay Thompson have made up the Splash Brothers for nearly a decade. Before Thompson’s recent injuries, he was a dangerous shooter and a capable Robin to Curry’s Batman. And, when Kevin Durant played for the Warriors, any of the three occupied the roles that Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor had for The Avengers.
The point of all of this is that those two superstar guards created nightmares for defenses. If the Warriors needed a game-winning shot in the final seconds, one would think they’d turn to Curry or Thompson.
Now, if Max Kellerman had a say, he wouldn’t turn to either. Let’s revisit what he said during the 2019 NBA Finals when the Warriors faced Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors.
“Of everyone on Golden State, open shot, the fate of the universe on the line, the Martians have the death beam pointed at earth, you better hit it, I want Iguodala. Iguodala’s got ice water in his veins. Iguodala is that type of player. High leverage moment, fate of the universe on the line, open shot, not go-get-it, I want Iguodala taking that shot for me,” Kellerman said.
Max Kellerman
Now in fairness to Kellerman, Iguodala had drilled a clutch 3-pointer late in a Game 2 win over the Raptors the night before. But not even the recency bias argument can fully save Kellerman here.
Iguodala rightfully called Kellerman out for that take
Iguodala, to his credit, knew an outrageous take when he saw one. For as much pride as he may take in his career achievements, he’s also not going to ignore the nonsense.
When he appeared on First Take later that month, Iguodala had two words regarding Kellerman when the three-time champion looked at Molly Qerim, the show’s host.
“He crazy.”
Andre Iguodala
Iguodala then praised Curry as the greatest shooter in NBA history, “off the dribble” and with the ball in his hands. The 2015 NBA Finals MVP added he believes Curry is the second-best point guard of all-time behind only Magic Johnson.
Kellerman and Smith have polluted the airwaves with nonsense for years
Stories like this turned ESPN’s First Take into a ratings machine. Stephen A. Smith and his partner at the time, either Skip Bayless or Kellerman, manufactured hot takes out of thin air.
Has Iguodala been a clutch player at times? Absolutely. The Warriors greatly benefited from his defensive prowess en route to winning three championships in the 2010s. But even the most novice basketball fan would have wanted Curry or Thompson taking the final shot.
Then again, First Take is the same show which has lent itself to Smith’s xenophobic commentary and sexist remarks. It’s nothing more than a program that spreads nonsensical views and watches in delight as clips go viral on Twitter.
Meanwhile, a segment of viewers watching at home cry for the days of Bob Ley’s commentary or a roundtable on The Sports Reporters. If Iguodala drilled a shot to save the universe, can we also get The Sports Reporters back?
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