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Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fanatics Fest explodes with surprises as Travis Scott,Tom Braddy and Tracy McGrady show up for epic panels
Fanatics Fest explodes with surprises as Travis Scott,Tom Braddy and Tracy McGrady show up for epic panels (Image via Getty) The energy was electric in New York City over the weekend as fans of all kinds flooded to the Javits Center to attend Fanatics Fest, held from June 20-22, 2025. The Fanatics Fest was one of the biggest sports and entertainment shows of the year. There were not only athletes and celebrities, but thousands of fans as well. They were the first to help unite them. The event featured a wide variety of incredibly exciting appearances Debuting some of the top name stars in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and others. From fan events, live shows, surprise guests, and memorable moments, the weekend was chalked full of sightings. Big sports stars Like LeBron James and Tom Brady shine at Fanatics Fest Many top athletes came to New York. LeBron James and Tom Brady were among the biggest names. LeBron James sat on a live panel for his podcast The Shop, while Tom Brady joined fan panels and signed autographs on June 21. Other athletes included Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama, Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Caleb Williams, and Ja'Marr Chase . All of the stars did photo ops and meet and greets, and answered fans' questions. Fans were happy to wait in line to meet their heroes. Unique Moments and Celebrity Panels Add Extra Spark It wasn't just about sports legends. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Budget-Friendly Bedroom Makeover Guide SearchMore Learn More Undo Stars from music, film, and entertainment also took part. Travis Scott, Jay‑Z, Kevin Hart, and John Cena all showed up to share stories and take part in live activities. ESPN brought its popular debate show First Take, hosted by Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim, to broadcast live on June 20 . Another surprise was Tracy McGrady and Chris Webber, who joined the show. Fans also enjoyed the new Fanatics Games, where athletes and fans competed in fun sports challenges with a total prize pool of $2 million. A special highlight was a cold plunge with Victor Wembanyama and Kevin Hart, recorded for 'Cold as Balls' . Fanatics Fest 2025 drew 150,000 fans through its doors, making it even bigger than last year. It mixed sports, entertainment, collectibles, and surprise moments into a high-energy festival. Fans left talking about the panels, the famous guests, and the unforgettable moments they experienced. Also Read: Rob Gronkowski Shocks Fans With Unexpected Hockey Skills At Fanatics Fest NYC Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith Lists Top 5 NBA Point Guards Of All-Time In Front Of Magic Johnson
Stephen A. Smith Lists Top 5 NBA Point Guards Of All-Time In Front Of Magic Johnson originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The role of the point guard is one of the most critical ones on the basketball court. While giving the masters of this craft their dues on "First Take", ESPN's Stephen A. Smith shared his list of the top 5 point guards of all-time, while facing NBA legend Magic Johnson. Advertisement Smith started his list with Chris Paul at No. 5. He said: "Led the league in assists on several occasions. He is one of the all-time great facilitators. Controls paces, controls tempo. A leader. Knows everybody's job, everybody's accountability." Smith justified that this was a tough decision to make, since he had to decide between Paul and Gary Payton for the fifth spot. But the analyst eventually justified it using Paul's offensive impact as a reason. At No. 4, Smith selected Jason Kidd and said: "Did you see this, brother? Without a jump shot, and you still couldn't stop him. You talk about a fast break? Lord, have mercy. Watch this brother push the ball up the court. You see the passes that he made. Richard Jefferson was relevant because of Jason Kidd... Jay Kidd was something special to behold, and by the way, a champion, even as he got older." Advertisement As enamored as Smith was by Kidd, he didn't place him in his top 3. Instead, he picked Isiah Thomas at third and justified: "Michael Jordan got him as No. 2, I got him as No. 3, but damn it, the greatest little guard in the history of basketball... A two-time champion, a national champion. The brother is something special. He was Kyrie before Kyrie. And the Bad Boy Pistons, even with all those rough riders, those leaders, he was clearly the unquestionable leader." Following up with Thomas at three, Smith selected Stephen Curry as No. 2 on his list. He added: "The greatest shooter God has ever seen. But, Magic pointed it out on "Get Up" earlier this morning - the ball handling, the passing skills. This brother sets it up. And here's the thing, impact is what it comes down to." Advertisement "This brother's movement without the ball, keeping everybody's head on a swivel, scaring the living hell out of you because he can shoot, but with the ball handling capabilities, and he's a four-time champion... When we think of him, we think of divine intervention, because his gifts are God-given. It works on it even more. Give him credit. He's that dude." For all the positive comments, Curry still couldn't crack the top spot. Smith especially reserved that for the legend in front of him, selecting Magic Johnson as No. 1 on his list. "When you're talking about point guards," he said, quoting Eddie Johnson in the process. "You're talking about facilitators. You're talking about guys that set others up. You're talking about guys that make the other people around them so much better than what they really are. Who did that better than the magic man?" Smith ranted about the Showtime Lakers and the impact they had on the NBA landscape, running most NBA teams into the ground with their dazzling and dominant displays led by Johnson. Johnson couldn't hold back his laughter while watching Smith's animated antics. But by the end of the analyst's segment, the Lakers legend shared his reaction to the list. He said: Advertisement "It's a great list, no question about it. You don't have to change a thing. It's just two guys when I look at - My boy from Utah, John Stockton, he's right there. And Steve Nash... I'm not saying change. I'm just saying, add those two guys." Magic Johnson was by far one of the most iconic players the league has ever seen, particularly in the point guard position. At 6'9", he broke the mould for the position, ushering in the era of positionless basketball. With a career average of 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game, Johnson was a master of his craft. With his talent and skill yielding success for him as a player, he amassed several achievements, including five NBA titles, three Finals MVP awards, three MVP awards, 12x All-Star selections, and 10x All-NBA selections, while also being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. This list also features two active players in Paul and Curry. While both remain relevant even at this stage in their careers, it is evident why Curry is listed higher. Advertisement Heading into next season, Paul is expected to test free agency, making a move out of San Antonio to hopefully join a contender in LA. Meanwhile, Curry remains a central figure with the Warriors, who aim to make adjustments to make another title charge next season. Related: Stephen Curry Reveals He Suffers From "Impostor Syndrome" This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith uses Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen example to praise Thunder's Jalen Williams
The post Stephen A. Smith uses Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen example to praise Thunder's Jalen Williams appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Oklahoma City Thunder have put the Indiana Pacers on the brink of elimination for the first time these playoffs, taking a 3-2 series lead with a 120-109 win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. Jalen Williams' performance drew an intriguing Michael Jordan–Scottie Pippen comparison from ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith. Advertisement Smith spoke on ESPN's 'First Take' Tuesday morning: 'I get the Scottie Pippen joint because when you look at Jalen Williams, the brother's a stud, legit 6'7'-6'8', one of the two players in the NBA this year that made an All-NBA and All-Defensive Team. The brother plays on both sides of the ball.' Smith continued: 'He's got a jumpshot, he's got a handle, he's got passing ability. He can finish at the free throw line, finish in the open court, he's athletic — the brother's got a bag, no doubt about it, and he can ball.' Williams finished Game 5 as the game's leading scorer with 40 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal. He shot 14-for-25 from the field and 9-for-12 from the free throw line, posting a game-high plus/minus of +14. According to ESPN, Williams joined LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the only players since 1998 to record at least 18 points in the paint and three made three-pointers in an NBA Finals game. Additionally, Williams became only the fifth player in the last 40 seasons to score 25 or more points in three straight Finals games before turning 25 years old. The others to accomplish the feat are Shaquille O'Neal (1995), Dwyane Wade (2006), Kevin Durant (2012), and Kyrie Irving (2016). Jalen Williams takes lead role in Game 5 as SGA dominates alongside him in historic Finals showing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2024–25 NBA Most Valuable Player, contributed 31 points on 9-for-21 shooting and 13-for-14 from the line, adding 10 assists, four blocks, and two steals with a +9 plus/minus. Together, Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander became the first pair of teammates since LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to record at least 40 and 30 points, respectively, in an NBA Finals game. Advertisement Smith then drew a line between Williams and Pippen: 'I don't know about the Scottie Pippen comparisons because for me personally, Scottie Pippen's one of the all-time greats — primarily with his defense.' He added: 'One of the things I've never seen — even though his greatest offensive performance was when he scored 37, if I remember correctly, as a Houston Rocket in the first round — this was not when he was with the Chicago Bulls. One time with the Chicago Bulls, he might've dropped 35, but I've never seen a game where Michael Jordan was on the court and Scottie Pippen was the No. 1 option. That never happened.' Smith pointed to Game 5 as an example: Advertisement 'That happened last night with Jalen Williams. Jalen Williams was given the ball by [Mark] Daigneault — now it was supposed to be for the purposes of being a point forward, getting the ball out of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's hands, not getting the first line of defense out of Indiana coming at SGA. Let it come to Jalen Williams instead so you could preserve SGA so he can have fresh legs come the fourth quarter because we saw what happened to him in Game 3.' Stephen A. Smith says Thunder won't lose to Pacers if Williams stays consistent Kyle Terada-Imagn Images He emphasized Williams' confidence: 'But Jalen Williams is waving him off because he was feeling it. SGA knew it and said go ahead and do your thing. I never saw that with Pippen with Michael Jordan on the court. That's why I don't get that comparison, that's just me.' Advertisement Smith concluded: 'Having said that, Jalen Williams is special. Make no mistake about it. His only issue — and I told him this when I saw him — his only issue is consistency, that's it.' 'There's nothing else about his game that you see that's not there. He defends. Offensively, he's got a bag — a versatile bag — when he brings it at you.' 'The bottom line is this: it was consistency. But over the last three games, the brother is averaging 31 [points] on better than 50% shooting and SGA is averaging 30 on 46% shooting. They keep that up, Indiana is not winning this series.' 'So I'm looking at it from that standpoint, and I've been saying all along: if Jalen Williams gives you what he's capable of giving you, there's no reason why the Thunder will lose a championship — and they're showing us that now.' Advertisement The Thunder will look to clinch their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City when they face the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Related: Kyrie Irving gives 'prototype' praise to Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Related: Thunder draw '90s Bulls comparison from Doc Rivers
Indianapolis Star
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Pacers open 8.5-point underdogs in Game 7 of NBA Finals: 'I think it's disrespectful'
The Indiana Pacers have been an underdog in every game of these NBA Finals. And that won't change heading into Sunday's Game 7 in Oklahoma City. The Pacers opened as 8.5-point underdogs, a staggering number for a Game 7. "Everybody has counted out the Pacers," ESPN's Jay Williams said on Friday's 'First Take.' "They're one of the biggest underdogs in Finals history." "I don't think they're counting them out now," responded Stephen A. Smith, who actually predicted the Pacers would win Game 6 to force a decisive game in OKC. Indiana's superpower: Pacers do something that's never been done in NBA playoffs Game 6 reaction: 'This is Hali spitting in the face of narratives.' "Not now, but 8-and-a-half! It's 8-and-a-half! That's eight and a hook in the NBA Finals after you just smacked the team by 17, you're up close to damn near 30," Williams said. 'First Take' host Molly Qerim then asked: "Do you think that's disrespectful?" "Yeah, I think it's disrespectful," Williams answered. "It's reality," former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas interjected. "Well, reality can be disrespectful too," Williams said. "... I agree with you. On paper, they should be smacking Indiana. I believe that. But they're not. Now, we're in a 3-3 Game 7 scenario. Pressure for the MVP, going back home, in your own hometown territory, with guys like J-Will, guys like SGA, we're comparing to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. I mean that's a lot of pressure on a young basketball team." "I think Game 7 is going to be a thriller," Smith said Friday. "I don't think it's going to be a blowout. I think it's going to be tight. I think that, here's what I'm thinking: When I watched OKC in Game 1 have a 15-point lead and ultimately blow that, I watched them throughout the playoffs, and there are two times where they just lag offensively. They can't seem to get anything going, but they know how to neutralize you defensively. Indiana, to me, with Rick Carlisle I have faith that he'll figure out a way to produce enough offense where it gets tight when the fourth quarter is here. "I think this is one of those situations, ladies and gentlemen, where it's going to come down to the ball in SGA's hands and the Haliburtons of the world and whoever you want to pick, the point is I think it's going to be close in the fourth quarter. I'm not saying that OKC is not going to pull away because I still believe in them. But I think come fourth quarter time, midway through the fourth quarter, we going to be within five points of one another. It's going to come down to the wire, and cats are going to get tested. And when you take into account that you're relatively young and it's a Game 7, y'all know this better than me, palms get sweaty, stuff gets tight, and you don't know how somebody is going to react to a Game 7 of an NBA Finals. The championship is on the line. The slightest mistake can cost you everything. If you've played awful at moments in other games, why the hell should I assume that you might not play awful in those moments. I think it's going to come down to the wire." "Do you think OKC has the potential to fold? I don't believe it will happen, but they do have that potential, and if I'm Indiana, I want to keep it tight. Why? Because I'm saying to myself, 'We can get 'em. We can get 'em. We don't give them that cushion, if it's tight and they're like damn this is Game 7 on our home turf, we just got blown out in Game 6, these cats still here, it's a three-point game, there's four minutes left, three minutes left, ahhh damn.' Listen, if I'm Indiana, that's what I want. That's the kind of moment I want. And we'll find out. I still would go with OKC, me personally, but if I'm Indiana, I want that."
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith's Daughter Goes Viral At NBA Finals
Stephen A. Smith's Daughter Goes Viral At NBA Finals originally appeared on The Spun. Prior to Game 6 of the NBA Finals, ESPN allowed Stephen A. Smith's daughter to make an appearance on "SportsCenter." Advertisement Smith has truly become the face of ESPN over the past few years due to his work on "First Take." Earlier this year, he received an extension worth $100 million. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro referred to the charismatic personality as a "difference-maker" for the network. Not even his biggest critics can debate that. "Stephen A. works incredibly hard to elevate the sports conversation day-in and day-out and we are grateful he will remain at ESPN," Pitaro said. "He is a difference maker, and fans are captivated by his deep sports knowledge, strong opinions and unmistakable flair." ESPN gave Smith a moment he'll never forget this Thursday. During the network's pregame coverage of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the "First Take" analyst had the chance to share the spotlight with his daughter Samantha. Let's just say Samantha was a natural on TV. DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 12: ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith reports before Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by)"Hi guys, I'm Samantha. I'm so happy to be here, I've made so many friends. This is really a great experience," she said. "This is a really great experience and I feel really grateful to be here, you guys." Advertisement Though it's not a huge surprise, Smith couldn't wait to interrupt his daughter's brief time on air. "You just got here five minutes ago," Smith told her. Smith has taken a lot of heat during the NBA Finals, especially since he got caught playing solitaire while Game 4 was going on. Though he has fought back against his critics, they haven't taken their feet off the gas. "When I'm watching the game, I'm watching the game," Smith replied. "If there's a break in the action -- it could be a dead ball, it could be a timeout or something like that - I can play the thing for two seconds." Advertisement Luckily for Smith, most fans couldn't help but smile at this Thursday's moment between father and daughter. Stephen A. Smith's Daughter Goes Viral At NBA Finals first appeared on The Spun on Jun 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
