Stephen A. Smith On His Relationship with Skip Bayless 

seeing him being normal and not exaggerating everything is so refreshing

Skip and Stephen A were unstoppable. They had unbelievable chemistry.

To see both their journeys is special. They created magic. Skip left his brother with something special knowing he could carry it without him and went and created something new. They are rivals in business but forever indebted to each other personally. That’s what you love to see

This is the best version of Stephen A. I have every seen. Chill and real

I miss him and skip together. That's when first take was the greatest ever. Undisputed is great too but skip and Stephen a were iconic together.

It’s kinda crazy Skip picked SAS just like he picked Shannon

Skip & Stephen on First Take was legendary!! Man the good old days.

Skip is the Godfather of debate. Him and Stephen A were made for each other on television

It’s crazy how people forget Stephen A was an excellent reporter and insider of the NBA before First Take. He was one of the best

When he described Skip going to SAS and crying out for help it sound like Draymond calling KD in car park in tears after G7 in 2016. Lmao

I remember watching Stephen A come on 1st & 10 every Wednesday with Skip. They had such great chemistry & eventually it was announced that Stephen A would be on permanently every day 👏🏽

Love Stephen A smith he always gives full analysis of everything and everyone involved ..his memory is unmatched ..skip and him was so cold together

In my opinion, skip was the Godfather who started TV sports debate, everything that we see now from undisputed, first things first, The Herd, Lebrons The Shop, Draymonds podcast etc they all originate from Skip Bayless

“It was called Cold Pizzurrrr”🤣

That's good that they are still friends and the business never fractured their relationship

Those guys were the last 2 in the media who could adamantly disagree about something but still have a productive and respectful conversation.

SAS: I'm a straight up guy Max: I beg to differ.

It’s crazy because I remember watching the same news and shows on espn from evening to morning 😂😂

I remember when Stephen A would come on First Take every Wednesday. He’s not kidding when the ratings were up. I would look forward so much to the Wednesday show because when he’d come on it was the best!

Skip and Stephen A. was something special. 1 of the best tandems ever.

If there's any doubt whether SAS plays up a character on ESPN, just compare how relaxed he is here.

I like Skip..I think Undisputed is waaaay better than first take..Molly gets on my nerves..my god..but JJ and Kendrick have brought me back to espn

Thanks JJ great interview

Skip say he didn't say tht tho 😂🤣😂 Stephen A. full of himself

These sports analysts make no sense 90% of the time but Skip and Stephen are iconic!

Look at Skip man so inspirational, he did the Draymond parking lot call to Kd back in 2012 with Stephen A

Just heard his response… skip said 🧢

I want a Skip and Stephen A. reunion episode. These two guys are the sports debate GOATS. Love to see it when guys are able to keep a solid personal relationship after they part ways business-wise. These dudes are bros for life.

Will always appreciate Skip, no matter how ridiculous his takes can be.

Was Skip crying in the parking Draymond green like ? Was Stephen A joining an established team the WEAKEST move by a sports analyst ???

Props to skip. He definitely knows how to pick a co-host that will take his shows to the next level . Stephen A, Shannon sharpe .

Skip said this story was fake on his podcast

This channel is getting serious Cheers from San Diego California

Steven A & Skip was special together but I do like we got too great shows separately... I just wish they switched Undisputed time slot with Colin's so I could watch both back 2 back lol

Here after Skip called 🧢🧢🧢 on SAS.

Cap cap cap. Skips response was epic.

I really do miss Skip & Stephen A. ☹️😢 Those we’re the days !

Doc Rivers cameo at 3:51. 😄

Who’s here after Skips Podcast??

Whos here after watching Skip's podcast

Skip need to be an A&R for a sports network. Dudes ability to identify talent is incredible. Between SAS and Shannon

Man everyone that has worked with Skip has had nothing but good to say about him. Really shows you how the media can warp your perception of people.

awesome interview! always wanted to know about Stephen A and skiip!

I gotta admit, Smith annoys me when he is 'on TV,' but it's refreshing to see him act like a real, down to earth human being when interviewed.

Bringing up PTI and Around the Horn…Cold Pizza…takes me back…

No matter what you think of Skips takes, you gotta hand it to him for recognizing talent in SAS and Shannon

The part about Skip in the parking lot seems fabricated. 😂

Them classic First Take Days brings back memories lol

3:51 wtf

this is good to hear.

If you haven’t already, go watch Skip Bayless response to this SAS interview. Basically called SAS a liar !!!

I always love hearing those “That almost happened…” scenarios in life. Imagine a reality where Fox Sports initiated the sports debate cycle, now they’re playing catch up with shows like Undisputed and First Things First, crazy how things happen…

For the ones who reads this just know this is only the beginning keep pushing, grinding, and fighting. Whatever it is in life you want to do to go after it life is to short. Life is a marathon not a sprint so go out there and live it up I hope all is well and goes well for you peace and one love.🙏🏽

Skip's reaction to this was over the top now that I've watched this

2:56 Hearing Stephen A curse outside TV media is iconic lol

It’s funny how chaotic those two were together but how much more tolerable they are together than apart 🤣

“How does Stephen A. and his relationship with Skip Bayless effect Lebron’s legacy?”

I'm glad he mentioned PTI. PTI started EVERYTHING. Legends.

It is impossible for Stephen A to get through a day without talking about how much he loves La La

Damn I wish Stephen A and Skip can give us just one more show

Stephen A. "Cold Pizzer" Smith!!!

Yooooooo we are old asf now😂😂😂😂 I almost forgot abt Stephen A. & Skip one of the Best duos 🥂

Stephen a and Skip were gold together

Man I miss skip n Stephen A started watching cause the Tebow debate lol Stephen A would sip his tea and say he can’t throw 😂😂😂 Skip all he does is win Them the days

Skip said on his podcast that he Bigg Capp 😆 🤣 😂

Well according to Skip Bayless, Stephen A is lying about how he joined the show. 😳

SAS the reporting LEGEND, solute to u my brother

After seeing Skip Bayless respond to Stephen A's "fictions", I don't think they will be "brothers from another mother" anymore LOL

Skip and Stephen were like kobe and Shaq.

SAS like Shaq Skip like Kobe.. Best 1-2 on tv I ever seen they got everybody voicing an opinion beautiful thing 💯

Stephen A and Skip were legendary together there still no duo that can even touch those two on the same show . Thats the dream team

SAS-“I’m a straight up guy who tells u how it is, if I have an issue, I’m coming to u” Max Kellerman “ Ayyy real quick, why am I fired and why is Stephen A not showing up to work til I’m gone and my desk clear ?”

Steven A. Smith and Skip Bayless are the face of sports TV, great guys.

0:45 "Cold Pitzzer" 😂

I’m glad to hear that. I always liked that show back then it was fresh and funny

Thought it went from ‘Cold Pizza’ to ‘1st & 10’ before ‘First Take’🤔

Skips response was basically Stephen A Smith was KD Skip was the Warriors Yes, with you, we’re better But without you, I’m still winning! 🤷🏽‍♂️

The best duo ever .....they need to get back together

Steven A will always be my boi. He takes it from both sides, good, bad, left, right, black, white..etc..etc..!😆 But he never EVER backs down from his point of view, he may concede from time to time, but he doesn't back down. I respect that! My dude, and we are still watching. ❤

Cold Pizza was a great show name. It was better back then bc there weren't as many hot takes. Actual real discussions.

No matter how many people may feel negatively about Skip and his antics. He is one of the few Elite tier TV personalities that has never needed to publicly apologize for any comments or any controversies. Unlike Stephen A had to do on multiple occasions.

Those bron/ tebow years at 1st take was epic.

I like when sas talks like that he sounds Coherent and legible when he starts shouting and hollering it makes it hard on the senses to listen

still waiting for him to yell

@ 2:13... SAS goes into how he was in Kevin Durant's position and Skip played the crying Draymond role, who came running to the parking lot and begged him to come to First Take.😭😭😭

JJ put me on the podcast I got mad skills when we pushing facts

Look at the ratings you go JJ asking the questions the people want to know. Keep it up

It actually was called 1st and 10 before it was First Take.. 1st and 10 were segments that took on SportsCenter in the morning and it was so popular that it became its own show..

I haven’t seen a SAS show since Skip left I just thought there chemistry was good. Now Undisputed is far the best because of Uncle Shannon.

Skip Bayless took exception to these comments claiming SAS saved the show from cancellation and helped Skip’s career as a fabrication of the truth

JJ will be a sports media legend.

Skip really knows how to choose his debate partners for the most ratings. I've never seen anything quite like it before.

It's crazy how polarizing my views are on Stephen A and Skip's success is. On one hand I do enjoy a good debate show. On the other, it's kinda ruined sports media, specifically around basketball it seems, and made it a drama filled cesspool. Which is why I really have gravitated towards JJ's podcast. He talks ball and leaves it there. Skip and Stephen A and these sports debate shows are just a bunch of dudes that hold tight of their opinion so hard that they start yelling at each other and in most cases contradict themselves to fit whatever narrative they want. Enjoyable to an extent, but I also just like getting sports news and facts and not heart driven drama. Feels like reality tv most of the time.

First Take wit Stephen A, Skip Bayless, and Cari Champion was all time great tv

Man JJ was born for this.

Skip Bayless is a legend whether you like it or not

Tim Teboooooow, that’s what I remember them fighting about lol

It all started on Cold Pizza. There were 4 segments during the show called “First & Ten” where Skip & Woody Paige would debate for 10 minutes a clip approx 4 times. It was so obvious that was all anyone wanted to see including myself obv. Idk why it took ESPN so long to realize this.

Ive been waiting on this question for years lol

I heard skip's response before I listened to this and I initially thought maybe skip misinterpreted what SAS said/meant. After hearing this, I can understand how skip received these comments...... Maybe it wasn't SAS Intentions.... And maybe his success has caused some ego (understandable), but this did come across like SAS was the cause of success and skip basically begged him to come fix it 😳