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January 12, 1:35 PM ET
Chat with Skip Bayless

Skip Bayless
  (4:02 PM)

Afternoon, ladies and gents. Skip Bayless, at your service, answering any question on any hot topic. Fire away.

Hook (Southern Maryland)

Are you and your ESPN colleagues friends with Stephen A. Smith? Everytime you and him are on First Take y'all yell at each other like worst enemies. But it's great entertainment.

Skip Bayless
  (4:05 PM)

I can't speak for anyone but myself. Stephen A. and I are good friends -- we had dinner last Thursday night, and of course, I bought. But it jars me when people say we "yell" at each other. We argue sports like two buddies would. We are both extremely passionate about sports and what we believe. It's just raw and real. And fun.

MIchael, Chicago

I'm not a big Lebron fan, but I have to admit...he seems to "get it" this year. Maybe it was the Olympic experience, or experience period, but he is not throwing up three's as much...and he is taking the ball to the hole more often. I think he gets the ring and MVP this year. What say u? Michael, Chicago

Skip Bayless
  (4:08 PM)

I agree, Michael. I've been hard on Prince James in the past, but this LeBron is new and different and much closer to a King. He is shooting fewer threes (though he's still the worst high-volume 3-shooter in the league). This LeBron is attacking the rim and getting to the line and making nearly 80 per cent of his free throws, which is up about 10. Now, can he make the last-second clutch shots that make a contender a champion? We're about to find out.

Jeff (Iowa)

Do you think the morons that don't vote for guys like Rickey or any other sure-fire HOFers should lose their privilege to vote?

Skip Bayless
  (4:10 PM)

Yes I do. They're not morons, just baseball writers who hold a grudge because a Rickey blew them off for an interview or because they wrote him off as a me-first showboat. At times he was, but he never was a disgrace to the game, and on performance, he's obviously a unanimous H of Fer.

Jay (NY)

Skip, love watchin' you and Stephen A going at it. Question for you, Do you think guys like McGwire, Bonds, Clemens and Pettitte deserve to be on a HOF ballot? All of these players have dark clouds about their heads, and to see that Mac got 29% of the vote(may be wrong on that figure) makes me worry that suspicous players will ultimatly find a way in.

Skip Bayless
  (4:13 PM)

This is just me: Bonds and Clemens did enough pre-steroids to be in the H of F. I don't believe McGwire is a H of Fer even with steroids. Pettitte isn't finished yet, but I still find it hard to believe he used HGH only one time, to recover from injury. But his apology seemed to work.

Brandon (Minnesota)

Skip, i really enjoy listening to your opinions about sports and sports stories, You are the only reason i even watch first take, but my question is, would you rather see an all pennslyvania superbowl, or an underdog matchup between Arizona and Baltimore?

Skip Bayless
  (4:18 PM)

Thank you, Brandon. If you're just talking about the most intriguing matchup, I want Eagles-Ravens. The McNabb-Andy Reid soap opera vs. the kid QB and that nasty RayLew/Ed Reed defense. I personally find the Ravens slightly more interesting than the Steelers. But they're a close second in the AFC, and Kurt Warner back in the SB throwing to that monster receiver (or receivers) of his? Honeslty, any matchup is terrific, including the obvious all-Pa.

Colby (LA)

Do you ever see Rob Parker being asked back to First Take? Or did his feaux paux cost him respect in the sports opinion community too much for ESPN's liking?

Skip Bayless
  (4:20 PM)

He's back on this Friday, and he's still in the rotation down the road. What he said was regrettable, but I know Rob, and this theme was a running joke week after week for him, and he was hoping to elicit a humorous response from the coach he had sparred with after every game. His attempt obviously fell flat and failed miserably.

David (Shreveport, LA)

Skip, We all love Dungy as a person. But why isn't he hammered like Marty & Stoops for not being good in big games? He has one Super Bowl, but a horrible postseason record. 9-10 in playoffs, with 6 first-game exits, 7 losses as the favorite, and an amazing cast of players, including Peyton, around him. Players are drafted for him, and his defenses usually suck. Amazing person, but the Colts would seem to be better in the postseason without him. .727 in the regular season means nothing if you can't bring home the gold. Does his faith in God or his great attitude give him a pass with the media for his playoff woes?

Skip Bayless
  (4:24 PM)

You make some fair points -- except for what you say about his defenses, which just isn't true. I put Dungy in my second tier of all-time coaches, those with two SBowl victories, even though he has just one and hasn't been great in the postseason overall. But his teams did make the playoffs a record 10 straight years, and he did turn around two dreadful franchises, and against long odds for a black coach, you cannot underestimate his sociological impact when you evaluate him for the H of F.

Drew (Bourbonnais, IL)

Why is it that guys like Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh don't even finish in the top 3 in the ROY/Coach of the year voting?

Skip Bayless
  (4:25 PM)

Because the votes are taken way too early.

RAY GORDON reid talahassee fla 32306


Skip Bayless
  (4:27 PM)

Skippy says: Ravens wins. Ray Lewis and that defense will refuse to lose three games in one season to a hated division rival that barely beat the Ravens the first two times. Phillip Rivers threw for 308 in limited possession time. Flacco will hit some down-field throws.

kj, kent, oh

you are very ignorant when it comes to LBJ. not stupid; ignorant. he has made a dozen or more game-winning shots in his career, including last year at L.A. over KOBE! or how about in the playoffs against the pistons two years ago? that was the last second game-winning shot. you need to brush up on your knowledge of LBJ's late-game heroics. oh and i suppose you don't know that he's lead the league in clutch shooting pct. AND clutch points scored for the last 3 years straight, right? come on...

Skip Bayless
  (4:32 PM)

No, you need to brush up on yours. I dare you to go back and find Prince James hitting last-second walk-off Michael Jordan shots. I think there was one, at home, three years ago vs. a woeful Charlotte. But even vs. Detroit in his "greatest game," he missed fts that would have won the game in regulation and shot an airball that would have won it at the end of the first o.t. I'm not talking about scoring fourth-quarter points, I'm talking about the clutch gene, the game-winners, and I'm still not sure that's in LeBron, who can get very nervous before last-second shots.

Jon (Des Moines, IA)

Come on Skip... You know you are just trying to find the best spot you use your "LEBRICK" coined term... I think your chance just came!

Skip Bayless
  (4:33 PM)

I refrained until now. From distance, he can still be LeBRICK. Ever seen anyone that talented shoot 3s that clang so hard?

Rob (Philly)

Love your work Skip! Tell me, you were right on my Phillies, what's your diagnosis for the Eagles this week? Could Philly become Titletown?

Skip Bayless
  (4:36 PM)

I picked your Phillies before the season, and I picked your Eagles before the season, and of course, I'm sticking with your Eagles on Sunday. I do respect and fear Arizona at home, but if you had told your Eagles three weeks ago after they had lost in Washington that they would be playing at Ariz. for a Super Bowl berth, they would have dropped to their knees and said, "Thank you, God." That would have included those who don't even believe in God. Eagles are better. Eagles will win.

Ray (Detroit)

There's alot of Detroit connection on First Take, how does Dana and Jemele feel about the lions?

Skip Bayless
  (4:36 PM)

They want the owner fired.

johnny (california)

im a huge yankees fan and the look of things they whould win the WS with no contest. but with the NY pressure you think CC and AJ and Tex will hold up??

Skip Bayless
  (4:41 PM)

I'm not so sure this a NYY cakewalk, Johnny. CC is the pitching version of Arod in the postseason. Tex puts up steadily huge numbers, but is he a clutch-hitting difference maker? I love the Smoltz signing in Boston and the Burrell addition in TB. David Price is an even better Joba, a difference-maker as a starter or closer (which I believe he should be this season). Honestly, as improved as the Yankees obviously are, I won't be surprised if they finish third again.

Pete Phoenix

What should my Vikings do about QB in your opinion?

Skip Bayless
  (4:42 PM)

Kerry Collins is a slightly better Frerotte, and I'm a Frerotte fan. I have never been sold on T. Jackson and I was stunned when Childress went back to him down the stretch.

Jon (Des Moines, IA)

How many events do you see Tiger winning this season and does he capture multiple majors?

Steven (Michigan)

how would the OWNER get fired?

Skip Bayless
  (4:43 PM)

I don't know, but to me NFL teams are like public trusts and I wish they could impeached by a vote of season-ticket customers.

Mike (Hermitage, TN)

Skip, first off you are the biggest reason I watch First Take. Now my comment: I am a Hall of fame Junkie. I have been there over 100 times, and next to my family, baseball history is my passion. My solution to the annual HOF snub fiasco is simpley this. Keep the voting as it is, but do not place a limit on the number of players the writers can vote for. That means some years you will get 10 inductees, some years you may get none. Also eliminate the Veterans committee in a period of 10 years. Give them that window to evaluate and elect any worthy player pre 1920 or Negro League, (using 1920 as the cutoff because that is after the Black Sox scandel when baseball first became our national pastime. My whole thing is that a players contribution to the game should not increase or decrease with the passage of time. I have been to several HOF induction days, and the worst thing to see is posthumous inductions where the presenters say "he should have been here long ago." If a guy is worthy, lets induct him while he is alive to appreciate it.

Skip Bayless
  (4:44 PM)

These are good thoughts. Well done, Mike.

Bradley (Key West, FL)

How long do they give you to prepare for First Take (1st 2nd 3rd & 4th down)?

Skip Bayless
  (4:47 PM)

I start prepping by watching games and reading stories between 7-11 every night, then watch an hour of SportsCenter at 5 a.m. to catch up on late, late results. We meet at 7:30 a.m. to decide on topics, then I have about an hour to research and gather my arguments, and I have a few minutes to memorize before each down.

Shawn (Boston,MA)

Skip, I'm a huge celts fans and with all this losing as of late you still think there the beasts of the east? or has king james finally taken his crown?

Skip Bayless
  (4:48 PM)

The Celts finally hit the energy wall. I had never seen an NBA team play so college hard night after night, for all of last season and until 27-2 this season. Lebron's team is younger and fresher and right now, better. And LeBron is playing so hard on defense for the first time in his career.

Rory (Denville)

where does tim tebow rank amongst NCAA footballs greatest players?

Skip Bayless
  (4:50 PM)

Just as a college player, I believe he has already made a case as the greatest ever, including leadership. 2 national championships, should have had 2 Heismans. He will close that case next year, if he doesn't get hurt running over SEC defenders.

Titus (Kenosh WI)

Why do people compare players to MJ when there will never be another! No one in the NBA has the Killer instinct that Jordan had and that sets him aside from all the rest. what do you think

Skip Bayless
  (4:52 PM)

Never say never. But I basically agree. I just go crazy because so many Witnesses believe Prince James is already greater than MJ, which is just laughable.

Denver Bill (Denver, CO)

Did it bother you at all that right when the clock struck 0:00 at the end of the BCS Championship game, as the confetti is going everywhere, that all the announcers were talking about was Tebow? I love him, but I feel that the focus should have been more on the team. It just seemed like Florida's team as a whole got left out of most of the post-game conversations, and it was SO Tebow-focused. Harvin should have gotten Offensive Player of Game, but neither him nor Tebow should have been the focus. Or Meyer. THE TEAM!

Skip Bayless
  (4:54 PM)

I hear you Bill, but even though I'm an Oklahoma fan, I couldn't argue with focusing on Tebow, because he took that game over, with his arm, legs and will. OU blew several chances to win it, then Tebow seized his opportunity.

Ted Maguire (Macomb, IL)

Skip I'm a big fan of your opinions. But when is Kurt Warner going to get your confidence. He's had a great year, MVPs, Super Bowl appearances, and a win. Yet, to you he is no "Brett Favre"

Skip Bayless
  (4:58 PM)

They've both thrown too many interceptions. But as for Warner's all-time greatness, it took a hit when he lost his job in St. L, then stood in for Eli for a while, then initially couldn't beat out Leinart. He had become a journeyman QB, which all-time greats never do. But for the last 8 games last year, and most of this year, he was great (though he lost to Favre when Favre threw 6 TD passes that should have been 7). And Warner did throw three picks at Philly.

Steiny (NYC)

Which team had a worse collapse? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears or the New York Jets?

Skip Bayless
  (4:59 PM)

Great question. Bucs narrowly nose out Jets. Bucs blew it at home to Raiders.

marc (dc)

Hey skippy, brush up on your Labron facts he closed out the wizards in I believe two games on last second shots in the playoffs a few years ago. He is only 23 give him at least a litte respect.

Skip Bayless
  (5:00 PM)

You talking about the two plays that should have been called walking? I'm talking about game-ending jumpers.


Do you think that the Jets will keep Bret Favre?

Skip Bayless
  (5:01 PM)

I think he will keep himself in Hattiesburg and call it a career.

steph (cincy)

Forget the end of the game, the Fox announcers embarassed themselves all night gushing about Tim Tebow. "Spend 10 minutes with the guy and your life is better" Yuck! Get the down count right first.

Skip Bayless
  (5:03 PM)

OK, I'll buy that. This guy is becoming the next Brett Favre, overglorified by the TV announcers.

Bill (Birmingham, AL)

Everyone asks ?'s here, but I just wanted to comment on your chatting with us. Thanks for taking time out of your day to do this. It is really appreciated.

Skip Bayless
  (5:05 PM)

Thank you, Bill. I've had a blast. Until next time, please watch us between 10 and 2 Eastern every weekday. Tomorrow, I go at it with Stephen A. again, fresh off his Pacman interview.