Discussion
Stephen A. thinks the 65-game rule DIMINISHES MVP ‘to some degree’ 📉 | First Take YouTube Exclusive
In this First Take YouTube Exclusive, Stephen A. Smith and Vincent Goodwill join Shae Cornette to weigh in on how the 65-game rule impacts the NBA MVP Award. ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: #ESPN #NBA #FirstTake
@misharif23
February 24, 2026 at 7:31 pm
How many MVP’s would guys like Kobe or Shaq have if the players still voted for MVP instead of the media?
@TDGRHYTHM
February 24, 2026 at 7:39 pm
I like this rule never change it
@Scottygetright
February 24, 2026 at 7:41 pm
10 years of INCREDIBLE play > 20 years of mediocre …. Get rid of load management. How do you manage a load if you haven’t built the load up to its potential?
@J.MIGGY22
February 24, 2026 at 7:51 pm
yesterday load management was the problem LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO
@PeterPumpkinReader
February 24, 2026 at 7:56 pm
joker luka shai and wemby could be all out if they get a minor injury. so yea it does kind of suck.
@gseric4721
February 24, 2026 at 8:09 pm
I just hope this rule doesn’t hurt players’ overall attributes in 2K, lol.
@jamesbond1586
February 24, 2026 at 8:25 pm
Yall loved it when it might have screwed over Bron…now yall have any issue when it affects a whit…nevermind.
@hemanthkumar1967
February 24, 2026 at 8:27 pm
If this was anybody other than jokic they would never be having this conversation, they will do anything to avoid jokic from getting his mvp
@Matthew-q3d1v
February 24, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Valuable = Availability
MVP > 6th man
@Dreday_19
February 24, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Jaylen Brown talked about black Wall Street, spoke about the USA Olympic team, isn’t signed with a major shoe brand & has his own. They talk about him hear & there but he’s never on any actual leader boards. The league doesn’t benefit from him winning MVP. The NBA is still politics @ the end of the day in what agenda/narratives they push.
@WildfireX
February 24, 2026 at 8:43 pm
82 games in the 90s was a breeze with less knowledge of steroids detection, & quch slower pace of play, as well as less possessions.
Clowns
@OOMPALOOMPA_GAS
February 24, 2026 at 8:44 pm
Na fk all that 😂 they should make the MVP play all 82 idgaf
@nolanwalsh9044
February 24, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Bro Stephan a makes no sense. This is great for the league. How you not like this Ecspecially with the era you grew up in
@ladidadi2054
February 24, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Leave the rule in fact they need to make it to where if you miss 35% of games 2 years in a row a team can discontinue the contract whenever
@FPS-yd1nd
February 24, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Lets put this in prospective. People keep comparing there jobs to a NBA player. First, if you were required to pratice and be better every game on top of travel and workouts, not even including media and sponsorship responsibility, its a lot. Also, players today are protecting there money more than ever. They learned from players before them who put there body on the line to win and get hurt and the next season, they dont get the money they deserve for all that because there body failed them. So i dont blame the player one bit for wanting to protect there money. Isaiah Thomas is the best example he took boston far in the playoffs and got hurt and hasnt been in the league since really.
@TechWiseforSeniors
February 24, 2026 at 9:03 pm
This is so easy to fix. Only count missed games if it’s based on “load management”. If they have an actual injury they shouldn’t count those games. Come on y’all.
@390Quality
February 24, 2026 at 9:10 pm
man fire this vincent goodwill guy he is hella boring always talks nonsense bring shannon back
@Whatacomedian_
February 24, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Swear I just watched this guy on “from”
@Anyonecanpod
February 24, 2026 at 9:21 pm
Get this dude off the show he’s horrible
@mr.knownothing33
February 24, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Nope. Are Cunningham has great attendance and his team is #1 in the East. Others will miss games and just care about the playoffs 👎🏾
@adebowale065
February 24, 2026 at 9:40 pm
Load management is the main culprit 😂😂😂
@justinthompson5282
February 24, 2026 at 9:40 pm
Why the media refuse to mention that teams sit players all the time.
@foualter102
February 24, 2026 at 9:47 pm
blaming the 65 game rule… then go blame and rant to Kawhi, Ben simmons, Paul George for load managing that much….
@joncarrasquillo3174
February 24, 2026 at 10:07 pm
I hope jokic doesn’t win it please, cadeeee is the dude
@ronnwilliams5857
February 24, 2026 at 10:18 pm
How is he the best in the world when he can’t and don’t play defense wow