After about a 10-year hiatus, Skip Bayless was back on ESPNs First Take battling against his familiar foe,
From debating where ranks on the list of all-time NBA greats, to Smith making fun of Bayless favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, to rehashing old debates, the reunion was a roller coaster ride that brought us all back to a time when this show was still outlandish, yet watchable.
Skip Bayless, who believes hes rarely been wrong throughout his television career, and never lost a debate to Stephen A., said he was right about Tim Tebow being a success in the NFL. Throughout the years, many critics considered Bayless “obsessed” with Tebow and some even considered his advocacy of the former Heisman winner a “shtick,” which hes denied. Smith believed part of the reason the two hosts were in hot water with their bosses years ago was because of Bayless incessant coverage of the quarterback, so naturally, they brought it up in the reunion.
Bayless doubled down on his claim that Tebow was a successful NFL QB and not a bust. Bayless even called Tim Tebows 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime to give the Denver Broncos a 29-23 AFC Wild Card playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, “the greatest overtime touchdown pass in the history of the National football league.”
Bayless is too prideful and blinded by his love of Tebow to admit he wasnt a success in the NFL and his constant use of Tebows Wild Card win as an example of success is a weak argument in my opinion. The man was a phenomenal college quarterback who only played three seasons in the NFL. Let’s be honest. He was a bust.
One of the most heated, lively aspects of the Smith vs. Bayless rivalry was the constant poking fun of the Dallas Cowboys lack of success. Smith, though he is no longer debating Bayless about this every football season, still loves to make fun of Bayless favorite football team and relishes in their shortcomings online and in studio.Â
Bayless passionately stated during the segment discussing Smiths Knicks fandom and Bayless Cowboys fandom, “You for years and years have constantly ridiculed my Dallas Cowboys.” He even admitted that Smith had “often been right” in his assessment of their failings.
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This is where Bayless lowered the boom on Smiths . “Since 1973, you have not won a championship,” Bayless proclaimed proudly. “Since 1973, my Cowboys have actually been to six Super Bowls and won four of them. I would much rather be a Cowboys fan than a Knicks fan.”
To that, Smith responded, “The difference between New York Knicks fans and Dallas Cowboys fans is that when we sucked, we knew it, we admitted it, we acknowledged it.” Touché.Â
Smith then humorously highlighted how Skip Bayless has crashed out over the years due to Cowboys playoff collapses and other failings by throwing jerseys and other merchandise away.
Truly, this was one of the best parts of todays show. Its fun because it feels like bar talk between argumentative friends who get lost in their fandom, trying at all costs to get under the skin of their opponent and trump their argumentation. Its relatable to the average fan.
If youve kept up with Smith and Bayless over the years, you knew a would be on the table for todays reunion. What you might not have expected was how low Bayless had LeBron on his top-10 list of all-time NBA greats.Â
Bayless had LeBron all the way at #9 on his list. Smiths reaction was priceless. Hand on his chin, leaning to the right side of his chair, staring off to the ends of the studio behind the camera, rolling his eyes in disbelief like hes done many times over the years in response to Bayless outrageous claims. Smiths initial vocal reaction before Bayless tried to substantiate his claim was, “For the audience to have to be subjected to this drivel thats about to come out of your mouth⦠You got me “
After the two quickly agreed that “Michael Je
