T/N: I really had fun writing the chapter into this fic lol. Enjoy.
The First Take theme music hits on ESPN2.
The camera pans out to a glass table under bright studio lights. Four figures sit in frame: a poised woman at the center, a middle-aged Black man to her right, and two Caucasian commentators across from her.
The woman smiles into the camera.
"Good morning, America. This is ESPN First Take. I'm Cari Champion. Joining me today are our wonderful commentators—the one and only Stephen A. Smith, the blunt and outspoken Skip Bayless, and our guest commentator tonight, Rob Parker."
She glances at the screen beside her.
"Before we get to the opening night matchup of the 2012–2013 season—Miami Heat versus the New York Knicks—I want to start with the power rankings."
A graphic appears.
"At number one, we have the Dallas Mavericks. Second, the reigning NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs. Third, the Miami Heat. And fourth, the New York Knicks."
Cari turns toward Stephen A.
"Stephen A. Smith, before we head into tonight's game, what are your thoughts?"
Stephen A. leans forward, already shaking his head.
"Cari, Cari, My beautiful Cari," he says. "I've been telling you this—these rankings don't mean anything right now. What is the difference between the first and fourth? There's not much. Not much at all."
He gestures toward the screen.
"I could go into a coma right now, and if I woke up at the end of the season and any of these teams had won the Larry O'Brien Trophy, I wouldn't be shocked. Not one bit."
Stephen A. leans back, gesturing with both hands as he warms to his point.
"Now, as a Knicks fan, if we lost? Yeah, I'd be emotional. I might even shed a tear. But surprised?" He shakes his head firmly. "No. Absolutely not."
" Take the Knicks, for example—they should have won the NBA trophy last season. They were simply unplayable. But injuries hit, key rotation players got traded at the beginning of the season, and the defensive side of the game suffered a bit. The young guys and rookies just didn't show up when it mattered. Chris Paul went down in the playoffs, and the scoring ended up on Lin Yi's shoulders. That's why they crashed out.
"To me—as a Knicks fan, without my bias—they're gonna win this season. But I'm not saying the other teams don't have a shot. The Miami Heat? They've got LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh together for a second season. Ray Allen's back, Vince Carter's back. If they fix that perimeter shooting problem, they've got a chance.
"And the defending Spurs? Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker—their core is mature, experienced. A little older, sure, but Jimmy Butler and the young guys bring energy to help that seasoned squad.
"And don't forget the Dallas Mavericks, sitting at number one. Their roster is stacked, and Dirk Nowitzki? That man wants that trophy badly.
"So yeah, it's gonna be a fight. But at the end of the day, when the dust settles, I see a third consecutive NBA MVP for Lin Yi, and a second Knicks banner in three years. That's my take."
Cari turns toward Skip Bayless, raising an eyebrow.
"Okay, Stephen, thanks for that. Now, Skip, I can see that smile—and the shaking of the head in your seat. What do you think?"
Skip leans forward, voice sharp, eyes flashing.
"Stephen A. and his roundabout, political answers… I'm telling you—mark my words. Today's date—mark it. The New York Knicks are going to be champions this season. End of story. No debate. No contest. It's a fact.
"The Miami Heat? They got whooped last season. One win in the regular season? They needed injuries and chaos just to scrape by in the Eastern Conference Finals. Lin Yi had to carry his team on his back—Chris Paul injured, rookies falling left and right—and still dragged the Knicks to a Game 6 against them and NEARLY WON!!. You saw it happen. And now you're telling me Miami has a real shot? NO WAY! NOT A CHANCE!
"Look at what Lin Yi did at the Olympics—dragged China for a face-to-face with Team USA. This man's on fire. He's in a whole new mode after the vacation. He's coming. It doesn't matter if it's the Spurs, doesn't matter if it's the Mavericks. Lin Yi's gonna burn them down and bring that trophy home.
"And tonight's match? Cari, I know we're talking power rankings, but let me be clear: Lin Yi is about to bust right through the Miami Heat. Overwhelm them with his girth and tonnage. The Heat won't have an answer. Lin Yi is coming, coming, and coming. Tonight, the Heat will have no choice but to take it, suck it, suck it, swallow the huge load of loss, and there's nothing anyone can do when Lin Yi penetrates and busts all over them HARD!"
The camera having futuresight pan from Skip's fiery declaration over to Rob Parker, who's sporting a flabbergasted expression. Cari Champion mirrors his shock, while Stephen A. Smith tries—and fails—to hold back a laugh. After a few seconds, the three regain their composure.
Cari leans forward, turning to Rob.
"Rob, anything interesting to say about tonight's matchup—Knicks versus Heat. What's your take?"
Rob Parker adjusts in his seat, his tone measured but firm.
"Nothing on the level of Skip, but it's going to be a tough game, I believe. I see it being low-scoring, really tight—both teams bringing the intensity. But if I'm putting my money on anyone, it's the Heat. LeBron coming off Olympic gold, getting that little edge over Lin Yi in the finals—it's a confidence boost. The Miami Heat will handle business at Madison Square Garden. I see them taking this one back to Miami with a win."
Cari nods, turning to Stephen A. Smith.
"Stephen A., your thoughts?"
Stephen A. leans in, fingers steepled.
"Yeah, Cari, I think it's going to be tight, real tight. Both teams are stacked; both teams want this. But…"
Skip shakes his head vigorously, muttering under his breath, clearly unimpressed.
Stephen A. continues, undeterred.
"But I honestly think the Knicks will pull this one off. It's going to be close, back-and-forth, edge-of-your-seat stuff—but my money's on New York."
Cari smiles, giving her own verdict.
"I think it's going to be a tight game as well, but if I had to bet, I'm siding with the Miami Heat tonight.
"Alright, folks, we're going to take a quick commercial break, but don't go anywhere. Stick around for much more—analysis of tonight's season-opening games and everything NBA. You won't want to miss it."
. . .
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