data-mm-id=”_x10egpeyq”>The 2020 NBA All-Star Game is in Chicago this year, and thus the First Take set is on-site for the weekend. They brought on Chicago native Isiah Thomas to chat about the league before the conversation inevitably veered towards the fierce Bulls-Pistons rivalry of the late 80s and early 90s. The crew got into a debate about whether the Pistons, who knocked Michael Jordan out of the playoffs three consecutive years as he was reaching the height of his power, were actually better than the Bulls. Max Kellerman pointed out that when Jordan had an All-Star team on his side in 1989 (when Scottie Pippen was first named to the team), he took the Pistons to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Thomas took this time to point out that he never played with a player o…

data-mm-id=”_7hfgr84fi”>With the possibility that the NBA could resume their season in some form on the Disney World property in Florida, a whole slew of other opportunities could present themselves. If the league is going to be in a place like this (isolated and surrounded by camera crews) they might as well optimize profitability. Most productions are shut down indefinitely during the pandemic, but if the NBA can really get this off the ground then they have so many opportunities to shoot possible reality shows to incorporate. Here are some of the best options. MasterChefThis is my personal favorite idea and something that should actually happen. Some of the other entries here are jokes, but this one is completely serious. Each NBA team's active roster is roughly the size of a M…

data-mm-id=”_l7r04luv7″>Army took a step back last year, failing to follow up a triumphant 11-2 run in 2018 by posting a 5-8 mark. Jeff Monken, once one of the hottest names on the coaching carousel rumor mill, has seen his Q score drop off slightly. This may ultimately be a good thing for the Black Knights as they've prospered under his tutelage and erased what was a wide, insufferable gulf between the competency of football played down in Annapolis and the brand played on the Western bank of the Hudson. With no conference to make the decision about the safety and viability of conducting business this fall, Army took it upon themselves to cobble together an independent schedule at the Eleventh Hour. And it is truly amazing. Feast yourself upon what lies ahead for the option-attac…

data-mm-id=”_bgm4e5xsi”>Sam Darnold and the New York Jets wrapped up their season with a 28-14 loss on Sunday and that will likely be the end of the young quarterback's time with the organization. After three years and a complete lack of success, it's time for both parties to move on.The Jets selected Darnold with the third pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, expecting to get a franchise-caliber quarterback. While the USC product is loaded with talent, he hasn't developed during his three years in the NFL. How much of that is his fault is certainly up for debate. Having Adam Gase as his head coach certainly didn't help things. Darnold is only 23 and has shown flashes that he could be a long-term starting quarterback in the NFL. But the well in New York has been poisoned. He…

data-mm-id=”_do7z6dsfa”>The Taylor Swift Eras Tour rolls into Cincinnati this weekend for two shows at Paycor Stadium, the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. While the first show isn't until Friday evening, the merch truck arrived on Thursday morning and there are hundreds – maybe thousands – of people waiting in line to buy shirts. Including two fans who skipped work, drove in from Louisville and then hid under blankets when the local news showed up. In the name of good journalism, Local 12 WKRC-TV's Annie Brown interviewed one of them on live television while the fan wore a blanket and sunglasses. I condone calling in sick in the name of@taylorswift13… Caught up with some Swifties–who shall remain anonymous–who skipped out on work to wait in line for Taylor Swift merch th…

data-mm-id=”_3o8w5ofmr”>The Seattle Mariners were enjoying a healthy five-run lead over the Houston Astros in a game they absolutely needed last night when someone decided to launch a baseball from the stands toward starting pitcher George Kirby. As one might suggest, that choice did not play well with the hometown fans or the person who accompanied him to the ballpark. Or security for that matter. Here's the incident in question, which could have been a lot worse. Kirby was composing himself to throw a pitch when a ball comes flying from out of nowhere and thumps him in the chest. Which had to hurt quite a bit when not suspecting it. Thankfully he was able to shake it off quickly because the wild fling could have landed anywhere, including right upon his face or in the temple. So…