ESPN FIRST TAKE (6/20/2016) SHOULD LEBRON JAMES BE MVP?

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To give me a moment here to .

Explain myself.

Obviously it was a runaway train for the media to jump to the conclusion that LeBron James was MVP of this series.

I get that because LeBron James was a freight train on the basketball court.

I don't like I'm here in there I don't like what I'm about to hear you just gave me what LeBrons definition of MVP was you know what he said when steph one and he said well obviously he was the best player but maybe somebody else was more valuable that's what happened in this series I do not disagree that lebron was the best player on the court and I get you he can stuff that stat sheet like nobody's business by the way if I may include this before i start my argument he also stuff the turnover category the stat sheet because he tied the all-time Finals record for most times different . okay what are you going to say skip.

What are you going to say LeBron James was great but Kyrie was more valuable in this series Kyrie averaged 31 a game over the last four games and it's when he scored those baskets that mattered the most you ready for this give me a second now let's go back to Game four when LeBron disappeared down the stretch from the 10-minute mark to the two-minute mark remember that one Kyrie did score 34 in that game at least he had the guts to go ahead and shoot it down the stretch he wasn't great but he did make three shots down the stretch that at least kept them afloat in that game.

Then let's go to game 5 they both go for 41 in that game obviously at Golden State kyrie had 12 in the fourth quarter to hold off Golden State at home.

Let's go to game 6 when did he scores points.

Who set the tone in Game 6 right out of the box.

Pump it up no kyree score 20 in the first half.

Nobody made any big deal of that 20 points.

Outscored LeBron in the first half and LeBron followed kairi's lead in Game six and obviously they're up 16 and a half and won by 14 game 7.

Haven't heard a word about this yet but Kyrie Irving with golden state up.

7 at half time Kyrie Irving scored 17 in the second half the time heard a word about that and let's get to that that crucial point down the stretch from 429 left in the game down to the 53 second mark.

Do you realize each team shot six times and missed all six shots again.

That game was begging for Golden State or more importantly Steph Curry to win that game but each team went 0 for 6 with the the score stuck on 89 - 89 LeBron James went 0 for 4 in that stretch and you just you nailed it.

You just summed it up for me Kyrie urban hit the shot heard round the world with 53 seconds left.

He he shoots it launches a step back fall away deep three right in the face of Steph Curry that wins the first championship for Cleveland Ohio and 52 years that yeah i'm i'm shocked because if his teammate were not LeBron James we would be going crazy about that shot but now when you made a big point about it but that I don't hear most people make a point because LeBron was the runaway MVP.

That was the shot and this is just me and i can give you song and verses in chapter and verse of lebron's history.

That's not been his history to make shots like that.

I I have my doubts LeBron could have made that kind of shot under that kind of circumstance you tell me all the time hi REE is the closer for this team he closed that deal with an all-time great game seven late fourth-quarter shot to win an NBA championship and I don't think I feel sorry for him because he's not getting enough credit for in my final point to drive home my conclusion that he's slightly deserves MVP I don't think he's getting nearly enough credit for the defensive job he routinely kept doing on Steph Curry.

He's the one chasing stuff on the perimeter he was all over step.

Night after night after night I would just sit back and marvel at hot how hard Kyrie play defense on the perimeter on Steph Curry.

I think Kyrie took step out of his game many many plays in in that seven-game series so in the end on value when did you make the shots when did you score points.

What were your contributions in fourth quarters i got i would have given it to Kyrie and I tweeted that immediately at the end of the game because that was a shot for the ages that he made you know you know something skip bayless i'm an idiot because I i'm an idiot because somehow someway i worked with you every day for the last three years and there are times where you use five still amazed I'm still amazed by that the stuff that comes out of your mouth.

I I don't understand why did not see this coming.

I do not understand why did not see that coming i said i looked at to tweet.

Maybe I would have known better when i read your tweet I guess I am I always very few i didn't know that lets it slip it i'm talking I let you talk this is your unbelievable let me tell you something skip bayless I Kyrie was sensational I get that it's not that you're wrong with the point you're making.

It's just that your conclusion is wrong because you believe that equals league in the NBA Finals MVP over our superstar with all the expectations of the world he told his shoulders who led the team who let both teams in the finals and points rebounds assists steals and blocks shots.

God you are unbelievable for that simplistic only know . games.

Hey I told you look at that didn't have to tell us what you thought they had to tell you that.

Zip it I'm talking ok back-to-back 41 . games in five in games five and six to our triple double in game 7 by the way not only that momentum swing of things Kyrie Irving skipped in short for the first two games and vinyls need to do not wear three and on yeah Game three and one he was spectacular first two games he shot thirty-three percent for the field he missed 24 36 shots he was a virtual no show but he came or strong.

In those last five games got hurt a little bit with his foot really left it up to LeBron to carry a bucket in the second half of game 6.

We get all of that but under no circumstances and have a big shot that he made was he definitely deserves credit for it was an elevated version of Paxson or curb because they didn't fit you get fed the ball by LeBron he a step back on Steph Curry himself and did what he did but this notion he deserves some credit in terms of defending Steph Curry skip bayless i would say to you did you forget about this dude by the name of Tristan Thompson who was chasing Steph Curry around wing the wing all series long you forget about Tristan Thompson yes you'd think that Kyrie Armand at six - okay that did that to steph curry all by himself.

So so so so what about the switching that took place what if so i can imagine what about it what about affected him on Shumpert was on staff that Kyrie was on step that Tristan Thompson.

He wasn't just switching on step he literally was chasing Steph Curry one wing to the other feeling okay.

Did it occasionally ya go back and watch the cake go back and watch down not argue with you about that.

The point is when you look at LeBron and all that he did throughout this series there is no question that the man deserve it not not taking away anything for Kyrie Irving because we all recognize that LeBron lost the finals last year without Kyrie and he wanted this year with Kyrie but there is no doubt that LeBron James deserved NBA Finals MVP for third time the man showed up when it counted.

And for you to sit up there with a straight face and try to take it away from I and it's shameful it's blasphemous ok that's blasphemy year I not believe that you would say something like that but then again I'm the idiot because of it.

The body would be the ultimate contrarian it will be you know unbelievable unbelievable you are my i'm tired i think you know how I've been built for many for 12 years on the show I'm all about who makes the big shot at the biggest moment who made the most valuable shot what about in the second game made.

What about the 3d LeBron me what about him going to the basket and a fourth quarter.

Obviously been a minute as well what about that did they brought in a big-time 3 from the left window is tingling.

I'll give him one he made one and then I said it was a three yeah that's a always wanted with the hot always again if you that you do 22 23 feet away from the bag he get a three but the game is still teetering.

It's tied at 89 about the black on Iguodala.

Do I get to tour is going to answer any of your questions go ahead.

Just one what happened with 429 left down to 53 seconds this is it this is for the NBA championship.

Each team shoot six times and mrs. all six shots.

What happens to everybody LeBron James shot four times and missed all four shots and I have to be against both the sides we stayed in Kyrie Irving said get out of my way.

Give me the ball and watch what's bad about to happen and he didn't just bring it on somebody that that was way before that before that way before that.

Ok that was like mid-quarter that this is down the stretch with the championship on the line.

That was the shot heard round the world if lebron had made that shot 53 seconds left we never hear the end of it I haven't heard much I give you credit because at least you gave him credit in your opening soliloquy on the Shelf credit and not many people get like that was such a huge game 7 late shot.

It won the championship and I don't hear anybody talking about even after the game.

It was all abroad and it should be a whole lot of LeBron but i think people are overlooking how valuable the contributions were of the best shooter and score on the team who is Kyrie Irving and you always say he has become the closer.

I value closers more than stat stuffers stat sheet stuffers I'm sorry out well I I value closes morning stat stuffers - if the club if the stat stuffers don't do anything when it counts lebron makes plays on both ends of the floor he led the team and five different damn categories yeah I can't ignore that i'm not saying that Kyrie Irving wasn't sensational.

I'm not clips and he doesn't deserve out going as far as to say this.

LeBron doesn't win the championship without Kyrie doesn't do it doesn't do it at all but that doesn't mean he was the MVP.

Okay well obviously qari doesn't win the championship without LeBron.

But when you're talking about value to team who set the tone in gadgets that team put it that put it.

Value the tea yes is doing did you sell your paintings tone set is very from game the game in the end value to the team matters most and value team let me tell you something right now we all know who owns that category.

When LeBron goes to your team you and it's the title contender when he ate there you're a has-been or an average team at best.

That's a fact okay and by the way I got to say about how much credit you gave LeBron and you did make mention listen Iguodala was not right last night he was playing he just wasn't and so he's got the breakaway and he's thinking should I and i always tell nobody plays harder longer than LeBron James.

He's in phenomenal physical condition and it showed again he played the most minutes in the game last night and he looked as fresh in the end as he was in the beginning I credit that and he that chase down block that was just sheer effort but Iguodala what's he doing he just kind of shied away from the basket says i think i'll try a little right-handed scoop shot over my head.

It was the easiest block LeBron has ever had because eagle dollar we're going to go up strong with his back.

You know you you're looking at the shot eagle dollar took i'm looking at LeBron James who came out of nowhere.

Who had his hand damn near at the top of the backboard and his faith that the move out of the way but a rib because that's how high he went up to get it at that pivotal moment in the game somebody that shows up on the offensive end of the floor as well as their sense of wonder for end of the floor.

Kyrie Irving is gonna give you the business offensively LeBron James gave you the business . . rebounds assists steals and blocks shots leading in all 5 categories and you're going to sit here and say that Kyrie Irving deserve League iba by MVP.

You're unbelievable yeah I'm believable because you know what you are.

Deep down you know I know you know what I know your schedule saying what I know I feel sorry for Kyrie Irving up late I feel so are you and I mean that's all right now nearly a story sorry last night I spoke to him last night.

There's nothing to feel sorry for him for he's an evil in vegas last night having a blast and he's always always everything happening but hopefully won't be sorry for him he's a champion.

What are you talking about well uh please yes you're ridiculous ridiculous and they deserve to be in vegas LeBron joining magic at MJ is the only players with at least three MVPs and three finals MVPs a pretty good company there let's get to step now.





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