Udonis Haslem channels inner Stephen A. Smith as he demands ‘get that camera on me’ after replacing First Take star
NBA legend Udonis Haslem has channeled his inner Stephen A. Smith while replacing the First Take host.
Three-time NBA champion Haslem, 44, filled in for Smith on both Thursday and Friday on the popular ESPN sports talk show.
ESPNStephen A. Smith was absent from First Take on both Thursday and Friday[/caption]
ESPNSmith was replaced by NBA legend Udonis Haslem (second from the right)[/caption]
ESPNHaslem did his best Smith impression when he insisted the cameras focus on him as he attempted to nail home a point about his former team, the Miami Heat[/caption]
On Friday, seated alongside host Molly Qerim in Smith‘s usual spot, Haslem did his best impression of the 56-year-old.
Asked for his take on which team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference was the biggest threat to the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, next season, Haslem’s choice was unsurprising.
He gestured to the cameras to focus on him, commenting “Bring that camera here. Let me get that camera on me,” in typical Smith fashion.
Having spent 20 years as a member of the Miami Heat, where he now serves as the vice president of basketball development, Haslem emphatically backed his team to challenge Boston in 2024.
“Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, Jimmy Butler, a young superstar in Bam Adebayo, a young superstar in Tyler Herro, Jaime Jazquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, why doesn’t anybody ever say the Miami Heat?” he asked.
“The last four or five years it’s come down to the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics.
“Milwaukee [Bucks] snuck themselves in there, but it’s come down to the Miami Heat of the Boston Celtics.”
Haslem later claimed that he believed, “A healthy Miami Heat is the team that can challenge Boston.
“Cause we’ve done it the last four out of five years. I’m sick of this man.”
Clearly furious with the lack of belief in Miami from his co-hosts, Qerim explained that their uncertainty stemmed from the lack of clarity surrounding the future of Butler.
However, Haslem quickly shut this down, explaining, “You haven’t heard us saying he’s going anywhere.
“Y’all saying he’s going somewhere.”
Butler remains under contract with Miami through the 2024-2025 season, with a player option for the following year.
As for Haslem’s take, viewers on X, formerly known as Twitter, were seemingly divided.
“Would not be surprised. Really do not think it is going to be the Knicks,” one wrote.
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.
Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
“If it is anyone other than Miami might be Milwaukee and that is even a stretch.”
A second commented, “Boy @ThisIsUD cooked the hell out them folks.”
As another added, “Celtics are 7-1 against Miami this season. I get backing up your team but UD talkin’ crazy.”
While a fourth said, “They say Miami every year. Smh.”
Miami finished the 2024 season eighth in the East before falling in Round 1 of the Playoffs to Boston.
GettyHaslem also said that Heat star Jimmy Butler won’t be leaving this offseason[/caption]
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