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Chapter 321: Stephen A. Smith's Humble Pie
🕑 Added 2025-08-26 22:01:38 +0000 UTCESPN FIRST TAKE SEGMENT – LIN YI’S SECOND QUADRUPLE DOUBLE
Dana Jacobson (Co-host/Moderator):
“Alright, welcome to First Take. Let’s talk about history being made last night. New York Knicks power forward Lin Yi recorded his second career quadruple-double — yes, second. He did it once as a rookie in the 2009–2010 season, and now again in just his second season, 2010–2011. Folks, that is something we just don’t see in today’s NBA. Stephen A., Skip, and Ryan Clark’s with us as well. Skip, you’ve been itching to get at Stephen A. about this, so go ahead.”
Skip Bayless (grinning, leaning in):
“Oh, I’ve been waiting for this moment. Stephen A. Smith… Mr. New York Knicks himself… last season, when this young man was just a rookie, I said in a previous segment, ‘Lin Yi was more of an MVP than the winner Lebron.’ And you — the man who bleeds orange and blue — you looked me in the eye and said, ‘Nah, LeBron James is the MVP, Lin Yi is a rookie, he needs more time.’ More time for what? He carried the Knicks to the NBA Eastern Semifinal. And now here we are. Two years in, two quadruple-doubles. Only a handful of legends have even done it once. So, Stephen Anthony Smith, the great one himself, tell the great people of America what your new opinion is?”
Stephen A. Smith (dramatic sigh, adjusting tie):
“First of all… first of all, Skip Bayless, let me tell you something right now. I’m a man who admits when he was wrong. Yes, I did doubt the brother. I didn’t know he had this type of game. I thought the pressure of New York, the Garden, the spotlight, would be too much too soon. I thought he’d take some time for MVP contention. And you know what? I was wrong. Dead wrong! This young man has shown me again — shown ALL of us — he’s the real deal. A quadruple-double in your rookie year? Okay, fluke maybe. But then to come back, sophomore season, do it again? Nah, that ain’t luck. That’s greatness. So yes, I stand corrected. Lin Yi is that dude!”
Skip Bayless (teasing):
“Ohhh, clap, clap, Congratulation, now you’re a believer, huh? Now you’re on the bandwagon?”
Stephen A. Smith (pointing at Skip):
“I ain’t on no bandwagon! I’m speaking facts! The man has earned my respect. He’s a star, a rising superstar in this league. And as far as New York goes? Lin Yi has given Knicks fans hope in a way they haven’t felt in years.”
Dana Jacobson (jumping in):
“Ryan, let me bring you in here. We’re talking about a quadruple-double. That’s double digits in four categories — points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. That’s something even most Hall of Famers never touch. How tough is this to do, especially for a young player in his second season?”
Ryan Clark (measured, thoughtful):
“Dana, it’s almost impossible. You’re talking about dominating the game in every single way. Not just scoring, but playmaking, defending, protecting the rim. For Lin Yi to do this as a rookie? Crazy. To come back the very next season and do it again? That’s legendary. It tells me this kid isn’t just talented — he’s wired differently. He’s competitive, he’s consistent, and he wants to be great. That’s scary for the rest of the league.”
Dana Jacobson:
“So let’s put a bow on this. Stephen A., Skip, Ryan — we’re talking about a 21-year-old with two quadruple-doubles already. What does this mean for his future?”
Stephen A. Smith:
“It means the Knicks finally got themselves a franchise cornerstone. Madison Square Garden’s got electricity again. This kid is the truth.”
Skip Bayless:
“It means I was right before Stephen A. was. But more importantly, it means Lin Yi belongs in every MVP conversation starting right now.”
Ryan Clark:
“And it means we should all sit back and enjoy the show. Because if this is what a healthy Lin Yi is doing in year two? Imagine what’s coming in year five, year ten. The NBA better buckle up.”
Dana Jacobson (smiling, wrapping up):
“Well said. Lin Yi, making history again. Knicks fans, you’ve got something special on your hands.”
As the debate wrapped up with Stephen A. finally conceding his doubts and the entire panel showering Lin Yi with praise, the conversation didn’t end when the cameras cut. If anything, it only caught fire. Within minutes, clips of Skip teasing Stephen A. and Lin Yi’s highlights were everywhere across social media. Fans, analysts, and even former players jumped online to weigh in, turning the Knicks star’s second career quadruple-double into the story of the day.
Twitter Reactions:
@KnicksTapeNYC
“Stephen A. finally admitted he was WRONG about Lin Yi 😂😂 Took a 2nd QUAD-DOUBLE to wake him up smh. #Knicks #FirstTake”
@NBAStatsGuy
“Lin Yi is now the ONLY player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double in each of his first two seasons. That’s not hype, that’s HISTORY. 🔥 #Knicks”
@SkipBaylessStan
“Skip’s victory lap over Stephen A. today was ELITE television 🤣🤣🤣 #FirstTake #LinYi”
@BallIsLifeHoops
“Dana Jacobson dropping facts 👏 it’s not just numbers — Lin Yi is literally changing the Knicks’ culture. MSG finally feels alive again.”
@RealTalkHoops
“Ryan Clark nailed it: Lin Yi didn’t run from the pressure of NY, he embraced it. This kid is special.”
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Reddit wasn't to be left out.
u/KnicksNation92
“Stephen A. finally on the Lin Yi bandwagon after doubting him last season. About damn time. Skip cooked him on live TV 😂.”
u/StatMuseWannabe
“Quadruple-double #2. In back-to-back years. The only players even near that company are legends. Lin Yi might be one of those guys we talk about for decades.”
u/NotAHotTake
“Skip vs Stephen A. today was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while. SAS looked like he was eating lemons admitting he was wrong 🤣.”
u/HoopHistorian
“People don’t realize how insane this is — you need scoring, vision, AND defensive timing. Lin Yi is literally putting himself in Hakeem/Robinson territory at 21 years old.”
