First Take
First Take is always a heated discussion as Stephen A. Smith and guests debate about the day's top stories.
Episodes
February 19, 2026 • 46 mins
First Take resumes with more on the Knicks-Pistons battle. With a win tonight, would the Knicks prove they're on the Pistons level? (0:00) Then, Perk comes in with a banger!! Darius Acuff Jr. is the best guard Coach Cal has ever coached??? Better than D Rose and John Wall?? (12:40) And, Perk lists his top 5 NBA box office stars! (30:10)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
February 19, 2026 • 47 mins
First Take begins with a showdown in the Garden! The Pistons and Knicks face off in a matchup that could determine the 1 seed in the East! And, LeBron declares the Lakers can still compete for the title if healthy! (0:00) Then, Stephen A. has an issue with Darryn Peterson missing another second half. (21:40) And, future NBA commissioner Draymond Green??? (41:30)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
February 18, 2026 • 45 mins
First Take resumes with 2nd half of the NBA season storylines we're looking forward to the most! (0:00) Then, is franchise tagging George Pickens the right move for the Cowboys? (17:50) Next, Mad Dog is mad at Bryce Harper, Kansas State, and his missing Pebble Beach invitation!! (27:50)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
February 18, 2026 • 48 mins
First Take is live with Giannis questions... Would he fit well with Luka in the City of Angels? (0:00) Then, tomorrow night, the Knicks aim to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the mighty Pistons. Mad Dog gives us the keys to victory in this budding Eastern conference rivalry! (12:45) Next, how much would the Chiefs improve with Tyreek Hill? (20:25) And, with 1/3 of the league tanking, should Adam Silver embrace the suck rather ...
Mark as Played
February 17, 2026 • 45 mins
First Take resumes with the NBA's future. With LeBron, Steph and KD on the brink of retirement, does the NBA need to quickly find a new face of the league? (0:00) Next, KD and the Rockets stumbled heading into the All-Star break. Can they return to form and make noise in the West? (19:30) Then, Stephen A.'s top 5 NBA title contenders. (25:30) Finally, No. 9 overall basketball recruit Dylan Mingo commits live! (34:00)
Learn more abo...
Mark as Played
February 17, 2026 • 48 mins
First Take begins with Eastern Conference favorites. Will the Pistons and Knicks face off in the ECF, or can James Harden finally get the Cavs over the hump? (0:00) Next, Stephen A. thinks Wemby can carry the Spurs deep into the playoffs. (27:00) Finally, are the Celtics real threats in the East if Jayson Tatum returns? (40:40)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
February 16, 2026 • 49 mins
First Take resumes with the young Americans being crowned ASG champs after taking down a European god squad and a group of aging legends. Should we brace for an American takeover after years of overseas dominance? (0:00) Then, CP3 quietly called it quits over the weekend, officially putting an end to his unfortunate retirement tour. Did the Point God deserve a better send off? (16:30) Next, breaking news!! The Dolphins released Tyr...
Mark as Played
February 16, 2026 • 47 mins
First Take is live with a new and improved All-Star game!! The US vs. World format proved successful as players tried, LeBron skied, and Kawhi turned the tide! Wemby and Ant led the way, and may have started a "face of the league" off. Is this All-Star game rendition here to stay? (0:00) Then, LeBron seems ready for life without the NBA, but is the NBA ready for life without LeBron? Who can we look at as the league's torch carrier ...
Mark as Played
February 13, 2026 • 46 mins
First Take resumes with western conference dominance. The Thunder have stumbled a tad, mainly because of injuries to key players, but still head into the all-star break with the NBA's best record. Would you take them or the field to make it to the finals out of the west? (0:00) Then, Stephen A., David Dennis JR., and Shump discuss the new USA vs. World All-Star Game format. (10:40) Next, which NBA team was the biggest disappointme...
Mark as Played
February 13, 2026 • 47 mins
First Take is live with the ageless king. LeBron gave us a triple-double to go along with a win vs. the Mavs heading into the all-star break. Should we prepare for a second half surge from the Lakers? Plus, Windy, Shump, and Stephen A. solve tanking! (0:00) Then, Trinidad Chambliss won his case and is eligible for another CFB season. He'll have another season to prove himself to the draft experts! (25:10) Next, which current QB bus...
Mark as Played
February 12, 2026 • 46 mins
First Take resumes with the loaded 2024 QB class: Williams, Daniels, Maye and a few more still trying to prove themselves. Mina Kimes picks her favorite. (0:00) Then, the Jazz pulled their starters going into the 4th quarter of a close game. Other teams like the Nets and Pacers are preparing to go into MEGAtank mode after the All-Star break. Has the NBA's tanking issue officially gone TOO far? (12:30) Next, a bad Super Bowl perfor...
Mark as Played
February 12, 2026 • 48 mins
First Take begins with a party in the pacific northwest! The Seahawks parade was rowdy, and Ernest Jones made sure Darnold's doubters got what they deserved. (0:00) Then, David Dennis Jr. is BEGGING the Knicks for some consistency! (15:20) Next, KD spoke out against European players effort in the All-Star game. Is this the year the NBA's creme de la creme give us an intense battle like 2020? (24:45)
Learn more about your ad choic...
Mark as Played
February 11, 2026 • 46 mins
First Take resumes with the Drake Maye dilemma. He racked up the 3rd worst QBR in a playoff run ever (min. 3 starts). The dichotomy of him finishing second in MVP but leaving a terrible taste in our mouths with a mediocre playoffs has Jeff and Stephen A. befuddled! (0:00) Then, the NBA MVP is a prestigious award that should only be bestowed upon players who win games, AND put up big stats. Windy joins to make the case for SGA while...
Mark as Played
February 11, 2026 • 48 mins
First Take begins with Mad Dog, Chiney and Stephen A. in awe of Victor Wembanyama. Mad Dog compares him to a superstar from 50 years ago, and Stephen A. thinks the NBA is in trouble with all of these player absences. (0:00) Then, what's more likely: Seahawks win one Super Bowl, or start a dynastic run similar to the late 90's Yankees? (19:00) Next, the Knicks are too inconsistent, Pistons don't have enough scoring, Celtics are miss...
Mark as Played
February 10, 2026 • 45 mins
First Take resumes with next year's out of nowhere NFL team. The Seahawks were 60-1 to win it all at the start of the season, and ended up in Disneyland with fresh rings! Could the Cowboys be next year's Seahawks? (0:00) Then, Jayson Tatum was assigned to the Maine Celtics, pointing to a potential return to play soon! If Tatum comes back, are the Celtics favorites in the east over the bully-ball Pistons and high-flying Knicks? (16:...
Mark as Played
February 10, 2026 • 48 mins
First Take begins with The Buzz City Brawl! Punches thrown, four ejections, and incoming suspensions. Perk, M&M and Stephen A. break down everything from the craziest NBA fight in years! (0:00) Then, after a depressing loss to the Thunder with no Luka, LeBron called out his team's effort and roster building. "That's a championship team, we're not." Are the Lakers more of a dark horse contender, or fraudulent first round exit? (24:3...
Mark as Played
February 9, 2026 • 46 mins
First Take resumes from Disneyland, and we're stock trading! Did Darnold or Maye raise their price this year, and should you sell high on either? (0:00) Then, we're already looking ahead to next season! The Patriots schedule drastically ramps up as they'll have to face numerous playoff teams. Do you expect them to reign supreme in the AFC again? (14:00). Next, a major argument on Sam Darnold's QB tier. Do you have him above Dak? (2...
Mark as Played
February 9, 2026 • 47 mins
First Take is live from Disneyland with ALL of the Super Bowl storylines. Find out if Stephen A. was surprised by the Seahawks dominance. (0:00) Then, Sam Darnold moved from bust, to champion in a matter of years. Should we look at him as an elite QB from now on? (23:55) And, do the Patriots coaches deserve most of the blame? (36:00)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
February 6, 2026 • 45 mins
First Take resumes with Drake Maye's future. What will the storylines be on Monday if he has another bad game? (0:00) Then, Deion Sanders dishes on Super Bowl picks, college football, and, of course, Shedeur Sanders! (9:50) Next, would Sam Darnold be considered elite with a Super Bowl win? (23:30) And, the crew finally makes their Super Bowl picks. (38:30)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
February 6, 2026 • 48 mins
First Take wraps up Super Bowl week from San Francisco. Matthew Stafford took home his first MVP after barely beating out Drake Maye! Did the voters get this one right? (0:00) Then, 3-time Super Bowl champ Emmitt Smith tells us how he prepped for the big game. (23:20) Next, we're still flustered by Tom Brady's comments. How can the GOAT not root for his former team? (41:50)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com