UDONIS Haslem has suggested Anthony Edwards bounces back from NBA playoff disappointment next season.
The ESPN analyst divided First Take viewers by comparing the Minnesota star to Michael Jordan during Thursday’s show.
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Edwards led the Timberwolves in scoring, rebounding and assists when they fell short in the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
Miami Heat legend Haslem replaced Stephen A. Smith on First Take and wasted no time in making his presence felt.
The 44-year-old said Edwards and the T-Wolves could use the “pain” of the Mavericks series to reach next year’s Finals.
“Minnesota Timberwolves for me, and Ant-Man,” Haslem responded after being asked about his favorites in the West next season.
“I’m looking at these guys, and Ant-Man, who we’re talking about – is the closest thing to [Michael Jordan] on and off the basketball court.
“When you look at what the Boston Celtics are talking about when they won the championship this year – the pain, the pain of the losses they suffered the last two years.
“Minnesota felt the pain of loss, felt the pain of disappointment.
“If Ant-Man is truly the heir to Michael Jordan, if he is truly that kind of guy, that pain will motivate him.”
“I like Minnesota to be in the Finals next year,” he added.
“They will be taken and they will lie awake at night, sleepless, because of the pain of loss. That’s what drives you.”
“Yeah, sure if they kept their plays next year,” agreed one X viewer.
“Ant-Man DOES NOT COMPARE TO JORDAN”, countered another.
“They are losing to the grizzlies next year for second place. Mark that”, countered a third.
“ESPN better hire UD full time,” a fourth added.
“Minnesota just got unlucky,” joked another.
First look at the numbers
First Take has grown from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim over the past year.
ESPN’s weekday debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 — making it the most-watched year in the show’s history.
Its December average of 611,000 represented a 24% annual increase compared to 2022.
The show has also recorded 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.
Haslem, a three-time NBA champion, debuted on ESPN in May.
He spent 20 years in the league, all with the Miami Heat.
Haslem replaced the absent Stephen A. on Thursday with the veteran sportscaster “on the day off.”
Smith admitted during a live broadcast on Tuesday that he was “too tired” after a grueling NBA schedule.
First Take airs every weekday on ESPN starting at 10am ET.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
