Keith (Minneapolis)

If the lakers loose game 7 Phil jackson should retire. pau Gasol play's too soft.

Jay Crawford

  (10:07 AM)

wow! harsh

Stanton Florida

Phil Jackson's arrogance KILLS ME! "It's just a game, we won by, however much the other night." Sorry, Phil, but that only playing hard at home thing isn't going to fly against Denver, much less King James and the Cavs.

Jonathan (Atlanta)

What's the chat at today?

commispectre

Lakers were terrible, but so were the referees. Could anybody tell me what happened to the officials in this league. That idiotic technical called on bryant. Terrible calls under the basket:brooks laying up over ariza, terrible call on Farmar when he "elbowed" brooks, and that is 3 calls right of the top of my head.

Nathan (Lexington, Ky)

The Lakers were down big early in game 6. Once they began to make a comeback, the refs quit calling the game even. Landry was called with swatting a defender's hand on a dunk in game 5. It wasn't called in game 6. The three points handed to the Rockets with Kobe's tech and Farmar's ghost foul didn't help either.

Luke (Auburn, NY)

If Houston wins game 7 it will be one of the greatest upsets in NBA history....we dont even have a center!! we got 20 plus all star appearences in suits!! Kobe may be the best player but players 2-10 are Houstons advantage...if Artest can shoot just one game...Houston shocks the world

Brian (Royal Oak, MI)

after last nights win, I don't understand why any conversation about the best run franchise in sports does not start and end with the Detroit Red Wings? 18 straight playoffs, on there way to potentialy 5th cup in 12 years, and the core of the team signed through the better part of the next decade. They did it without a salary cap, and then have mastered doing it with a cap. Ken Holland might be the best executive in sports........ GO WINGS!!!!

Dustin Katy, Texas

Brooks aka the Flash next big PG. Soon we will be the champs, skip and woody please stay together, Go rockets

Michael Kim

  (10:13 AM)

Good morning, everyone... Watch out for the Rockets on Sunday! No one - including the Lakers -- thought Houston would force a Game 7.

Adam G. Tampa, FL

GO MAGIC!!

Ryan G, Houston Texas

Ok I love how you guys have talked about what the Lakers did wrong everytime they have lost to the Rockets. For once can you please talk about what they Rockets did RIGHT! I mean can they please get some respect. Now it pains me to say this but thanks Skip for giving them some respect. If they win game 7, wait WHEN they win game 7, please talk about how the Rockets WON that series, not how the Lakers lost it!

Michael Kim

  (10:14 AM)

Ryan G - Love how the Rockets are playing TEAM basketball.

Mike Hill

  (10:14 AM)

Lakers should be ashamed o themselves....I thought Pau had grown more "manhood" after last year's finals...obviously, he hasn't....he's got to step up and give Kobe some help....and where is Andrew Bynum?

John, Austin

Never Underestimate the He....wait, I'll save it until the Rockets beat the schizophrenic Lakers.

Michael Kim

  (10:16 AM)

Funny, John in Austin -- I've been thinking that quote from Rudy T this entire series.

Herm (Ohio)

Howard played like a beast. I think maybe his comments woke him up the most

Michael Kim

  (10:17 AM)

Herm - Howard said he knew he had to shut up and play -- and he did!

Ryan G, Houston Texas

Thank you Michael Kim! I've always liked your opinions on things! When they win Game 7, I hope you are working that Mon. morning! So you can talk about them and give them that respect! Thank you!

Monica Jacksonville,Florida

Are the Lakers in trouble and if Houston wins would this be a big upset?

Michael Kim

  (10:18 AM)

Ryan G - Thx - Sorry, won't be here Monday but I'll be happy to chime in on Tuesday. Looking fwd to a great Sunday of hoops.

James Denver

Maybe this is calculated move by Phil and Lakers? Maybe they learned lesson about to much rest last year between games. So they lost on purpose to slow down red hot Nuggets team? Keep them on ice until Tuesday night?

Michael Kim

  (10:19 AM)

James - funny thought - but the Lakers don't need this kind of stress.

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

Hey Michael! So it's Friday. Do you do two comedy sets today?

Michael Kim

  (10:20 AM)

Johnny... Are the entertainment options in Scranton that bad?

Perry(taunton,mass)

michael kim. stop disrespecting the rockets. I have trust in the rockets all series to go to seven games but to win game seven in LA will be tough.

Michael Kim

  (10:21 AM)

Perry - who's disrespecting the Rockets? I love that this series is going to Game 7. I have no rooting interest but love that we'll have two of them Sunday.

Luke (Auburn NY)

Michael, I've always wondered who your teams are outside of your beloved Mizzou, its all over Jay, Dana, and Skip on who they back...how bout you?

Andrew

Do you think the Rockets can beat the Lakers.

Jay Crawford

  (10:22 AM)

nope. not in la in game 7.

Matt (Council Bluffs, IA)

the Rockets wont stand a chance in LA in game 7,they will get man handled once again like in game 5

Umor (detroit)

YES BRING ON SCREWLOOSE

keith (minneapolis)

ESPN wait untill the playoffs are over to show the new KOBe movie, it would be really sad if they loose game 7

Will (WV)

Hey everyone....Skip is going for the Miami Vice look today!

Herm (Ohio)

He sure did Michael Kim!!!

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

Well to be honest, I live in a city right next to Scranton. We have plenty to do.

Jon (Mad-town)

Skip is starting to remind me of the bad "C'mon" sports radio guy with his constant catch phrase "are you kidding me!?"

Michael Kim

  (10:23 AM)

Luke -- St. Louis Cardinals in baseball. The rest of the sports I just watch as a general fan. Let's put it this way, Skip watches nearly as many games as I do. I wear out my DVR.

Will (WV)

Skip is going for the Miami Vice look today!

Adam G. Tampa, FL

Mike Hill Andrew Bynum is getting rained on, he's under Rihanna's umbrella ella ella eh eh hey!

Cody (shaftsbury, vt)

Magic win game 7. Howard can play that way when he wants and now they he put his foot in his mouth he'll pick it up again for game 7.

Ken, Indianapolis

Skips right, again. Dwight Howard is the most overated player in the league. He needs to be more physical and work on some type of post up game. Hes to soft.

Michael Kim

  (10:23 AM)

Will - Skip always wears a t-shirt on Friday.

Jon (Mad-town)

NHL Playoffs> than NBA Playoffs.

T: (Greencastle, PA)

Phil is the man to blame. He's the man to blame for last year's loss to Boston. His unique, timid style worked wonders with Jordan & Pippen, and Shaq & Kobe, but that same style will bring this Lakers team down.

Michael Kim

  (10:24 AM)

Surprised Phil didn't call a TO early when it was clear that the Rockets were hot and the Lakers were not. 17-1 run to open the game?

KC (Northglenn,CO)

I think Phil Jackson made a big mistake saying theres nothing to worry about. I think that will just motivate the Rockets to try and take Game 7.

Brett (Buffalo, NY)

WOW, I'm having a nostalgic moment right now seeing the triumphant return of the great Woody Paige to the First and Ten table to battle it out with the equally great Skip Bayless. Reminds me of the early days of Cold Pizza when I first got hooked on the show. It's great to see two great minds together again!

Perry(taunton,mass)

michael kim you just said no one expected houston to go game seven. That aint disrespectful but it aint respect.

Michael Kim

  (10:26 AM)

Perry - it's not disrespect. it's the truth.

Chizzie Thornton, Co

Good morning everyone. I'm rooting for, houston, so Denver will have home court in the west finals....GO NUGGETS!!!!!!

Will (WV)

M. Kim.....how is that new diet working out so far?

Michael Kim

  (10:28 AM)

Will - I thought better of it. I'll leave all the worms to Bert Blyleven.

John, Austin

Perry, MK's one of the few that have given the Rockets a chance, have you been paying attention to him this week?

Michael Kim

  (10:32 AM)

Thanks, John.

Herm (Ohio)

I don't think Michael Kim has disrespected the Rockets!! I think he was right no one thought Houston was gonna take this series to Game 7...especially without T Mac and Yao

Adam G. Tampa, FL

Michael Kim Sanchez to Burress for the title!

Michael Kim

  (10:33 AM)

Adam - How about Kellen Clemens to Burress?

Calvin W (Clearwater, FL)

Cal Ripken Jr needs to keep quiet. He was big for a SS. You cannot rule out that he did steroids. Isn't hair loss a side effect?

Michael Kim

  (10:39 AM)

Seriously, Calvin? Everyone chime in: "Calvin, drug testing is the second door on the left."

John, Austin

No worries MK, I've got your back.

Paul (West Palm Beach Fl.)

So Mr Kim, You think Kellen Clemens arm is good enough to throw out of the stadium to a Jail Cell???

Michael Kim

  (10:40 AM)

Paul - my answer is a running gag between Adam and me. He originally said that when Justin Tuck was here and everyone had a laugh. No way, I'm serious about that.

James Denver

I was going to jump on Calvin for his Cal Ripken comment but after A Rod Manny etc no name would suprise me at this point.

Michael Kim

  (10:41 AM)

James -- you should follow Calvin to the room... second door on the left.

justin(ohio)

Cal Ripken Jr doin steroids..C'MON that's crazy....plus hair loss can caused by old age.

Michael Kim

  (10:42 AM)

And I guess you're gonna tell me next that Roger Clemens' step father was bald?

Will (WV)

Cal Ripken and steroids in the same sentence....give up on that thought buddy! That is plain disrespect..

Calvin W (Clearwater, FL)

Don't tell me Michael. Tell Cal Ripken Jr. Everybody is a suspect until proven innocent.

Aj (Charleston)

Dude, Calvin needs to be banned for such a statement.

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

Sounds like Calvin's water isn't so clear.

Michael Kim

  (10:43 AM)

You'd think a guy named CALvin would have more support for Cal Ripken.

Umor (detroit)

I got my old trig and calc books out. bring on screwloose.

John, Austin

No way Cal did steriods, but Billy Mays...that's a different story.

Ryan (West Chester, PA)

THE PROFESSOR IS IN THE HOUSE!

KC (Northglenn,CO)

YES PROFESSOR SCREWLOOSE.

justin(ohio)

good point MK

Luke (Auburn, NY)

Cal didnt do roids period. your nuts. you dont play every game for 20 years on juice, havin those other 103 names come out brings more cred to how brilliant guys like him and jeter and mussina were clean...on a playing field slanted against them, by the way, losing hair is a side effect of being old

Will (WV)

Drug testing now open...we already have two guest in there! Which door is it again Michael?

Michael Kim

  (10:45 AM)

Second door on the left

Paul (West Palm Beach Fl.)

The sad thing is we can't prove who did what in those years and we can only blame one person. Bud Selig.

Mike Hill

  (10:45 AM)

Professor Screw Loose looks a lot like Colonel Sanders, doesn't he. 11 herbs and spices...I want some grilled chicken now!

Michael Kim

  (10:48 AM)

Paul, you're right. Calvin, I hear what you're saying. Sadly, we don't TRULY know about anyone -- BUT point your arrows away from Cal Ripken.

Ryan G

Well, I always watch the show so I can't wait. And I agree with you. I love how they are playing as a TEAM. So far they are the only ones left in the playoffs that understand the TEAM concept of things. That's how the Rockets won back-to-back Championships back in the 90's! Even with one of the greatest centers in NBA history, they still played like a team! I dont see that with the Lakers.

Frank (Washington, D.C.)

I know pretty much everyone wants to see a Lakers/Cavs final but wouldn't a Cavs/Nuggest final be just as appealing between James & Anthony to see who puts a ring on it first

James Denver

I could care less about the Lakers Im concerned for Nuggets.

Brix (Atl, GA)

Why do skip and Woody just assume the Rockets will lay down in L.A.? I know Ron Artest was not taught to lay down in Queensbridge, N.Y.! This will be a great game 7 with a possibility of an upset! Phil Jacksons nonchalant coaching style needs to be re-evaluated, the 9 rings wont matter when he is sitting home monday!

Michael N, (Philadelphia, PA)

Stan Van Gundy is possibly the worst coach in the playoffs was it so hard to just give Dwight the Ball because nobody on Boston can even stick let alone anybody left in the Playoffs, I'm starting to think the Van Gundy brothers are a family of choke artists. are they met fans?

Jay Crawford

  (10:52 AM)

ouch! harsh michjael

Luke (Auburn, NY)

The whole steroids thing is funny...if you asked anyone who wasnt rich to make a list of what they would not be willing to do for millions...i bet steroids wouldnt be on the list...I'd do anything short of selling my sole for 300 mill and the yanks 3rd base gig

James Denver

Luke thats the stupidest argument ever. What do you guys think stereroids do for you? They help you heal faster. So playing in the consecutive game streak is actualky proof he used not the other way around.

Perry(taunton,mass)

cal ripken and that far of a stretch he did play thru the era. but i wouldn't say he did.

JULIUS(SPRINGFIELD MA)

CAL RIPKEN PLAYED HIS ENTIRE CAREER IN THE STEROID ERA HOW CAN YOU NOT LOOK AT HIM

Jay Crawford

  (10:54 AM)

not his entire career...

Perry(taunton,mass)

Jay. I actually think that the van gundy should switch spots.

Chizzie Thornton, Co

Mr.Kim if (Houston) gets by LA, do you think they'll have enough left to beat Denver?

Michael Kim

  (11:00 AM)

Chizzie -- Either team will have a disadvantage early against a rested Nuggets team -- especially Houston because its playing shorthanded and altitude advantage for Denver. (That's real, say former NBA players)

Jeremiah (Bolivar,NY)

Blame yourselves (mlb fans), for the roid era.I know we all knew the players were juiced, and we still bought bash brothers shirts and rooted on Sosa and countless others. Fans like Homeruns!

Jay Crawford

  (11:05 AM)

ok, if thats true, and fans do love the home run, why not make all the ballparks smaller by 5 feet all the way around. hr totals go up, no one dies of enlarged heart, everyone, except the pitchers, win...

Justin LA, CA

Go Houston!!! I hope kobe has to sit at home and watch bron bron. even though it wont happen.

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

I guess we should blame ourselves for steriods in the NFL too then, Jeremiah.

Brian (Michigan)

I say the steroid era started basically when Canseco made the show, 1985 at the earliest. Ripken made the bigs in 1981. Still hard to believe Cal was juicing. I give him the benefit of the doubt.

Calvin W (Clearwater, FL)

Tell us when Strawberry will be back on so I can turn my tv off. I get it now: steroids-bad cocaine-good.

Jay Crawford

  (11:06 AM)

nope, not good. overcoming cocaine, excellent. no one glorifies the use, just the comeback cal...turn off now

Adam G. Tampa, FL

Skip aren't you at least a little bit upset, I mean come on the Rockets stole Scola from us! HE should be playing the 4 for Timmy and the Spurs! Timmy Scola Bruce Bowen Ginobli Parker

John, Austin

The longest homer I've ever seen, 1986, Astrodome, All Star Game Home Run Contest, Strawberry hits one that hits a speaker that is at the farthest point from home plate in the Dome. If there was not a roof or speaker, it would have gone out of the stadium.

Brian (Michigan)

I loved the steroid era. So put all the blame on me if you want. I say bring it back.

Adam G. Tampa ,FL

Jay they say I look like Shane Battier I don't see it.

Jay Crawford

  (11:07 AM)

little bit

Adam G. Tampa, FL

I remember that one Jay that was a bomb and a half by D Straw!

Jay Crawford

  (11:07 AM)

he could rake!

kree Cleveland ohio

I think Dwight Howard is a real good Ben Wallace in his prime.

Michael Kim

  (11:23 AM)

Rest in peace, Wayman Tisdale. I had a chance to spend a day with him a few years ago when he visited ESPN and I served as emcee for his concert here that day. Just a nice, warm person.

Jonathan (Atlanta, GA)

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Tisdale. Skip was on point...he was a great human being, a solid ball player and musician/guitarist (I think he had 4 or 5 jazz CDs)

Paul (Denver)

The only reason Cal isn't looked at for steriods is because he's the "all-American" white player.

Michael Kim

  (11:26 AM)

Paul - Ken Griffey Jr. isn't looked at for using steroids. Neither is Derek Jeter. Neither is Mariano Rivera. There's three Hall of Famers right there.

Aaron (Denver)

Well said, Michael

Brian (Michigan)

Longest homer I've seen in person was Cecil Fielder hitting one completely out of Tiger Stadium.

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

I'd like to throw Tony Gwynn into the group of players not looked at for using steroids. Last I checked, he wasn't a white athlete.

Michael Kim

  (11:32 AM)

Johnny - Thx for the support. There are more players than I can name.

Steve (Syracuse)

Paulus to Syracuse + Doug Marrone equals CHAMPIONSHIP!

Michael Kim

  (11:32 AM)

Steve... second door on the left

Calvin W (Clearwater, FL)

Jeter in the Hall of Fame? That is the funniest thing I heard all day. You don't make the HOF just because your team won championships. Tony Fernandez was a way better SS than Jeter, but Fernandez is not getting in.

Michael Kim

  (11:33 AM)

Calvin - we're waiting for the results before we slap you with a 50-game suspension but you are approaching one-year ban level.

John (Austin)

I thought we banned Calvin? Someone must have spit in his CornFlakes this morning.

Michael Kim

  (11:34 AM)

We did - just had to bring him in to jab him.

Steve (Syracuse)

haha Michael, come on you dont think the Big East can be won? CINCINATTI won it last year!

Michael Kim

  (11:34 AM)

Steve... Steve... take a deep breath...

Sean (Newport News, VA)

If Ken Griffey Jr. is ever put into the steroids category then that's my childhood out the window! I could never watch baseball the same if that were to happen

johnnie, niagara falls, new york [via mobile]

Mr kim is this kobe last chance to win a title without shaq?

Michael Kim

  (11:38 AM)

Johnnie - If LeBron wins it this year, I believe the answer will be yes. The Lakers will have to bring in a hired gun to help Kobe.

Aaron (Denver)

Johnnie, I think it is. With Portland and Denver ready to take over the West that hour glass is about empty.

Rick Astley (The 80's)

Michael, never gonna give up never gonna let you down.

Michael Kim

  (11:39 AM)

Rick, is that really you -- or is that John Ireland?

Todd (Queens(NY))

Steve there is no way Syracuse wins the Big East or has a winning record next year!!!

Michael Kim

  (11:39 AM)

Todd - I was wondering when you would chime in on this... You can take it from here.

Perry(taunton,mass)

If griffey took steroids with that sweet swing. he would of had 70 way before maguire.

Michael Kim

  (11:41 AM)

Perry -- Excellent point. (I will say that Big Mac didn't need to venture down that path either because he already had a pretty sweet HR swing before bulking up.)

Adam G. Tampa, FL

Mike Kim do you play any sports right now? We all know Skip is a work out beast.

Michael Kim

  (11:43 AM)

Adam - I played wiffle ball with my 5-year-son yesterday. Brought back memories of hours spent in my childhood playing wiffle ball.

chauncey (teaneck)

you are wrong Michael Mcguire was playing his slf out of th majors before h bulkd up

Michael Kim

  (11:46 AM)

Chauncey... Wasn't he injured (rather than playing his way out of baseball)? Of course, if he stayed hurt, he may have been out... My point was that he hit 49 as a rookie and possessed natural power.

Perry(taunton,mass)

michael kim. Barry bond hit seventy because of it. he was winning mvps before using it.

Michael Kim

  (11:47 AM)

Yes - Perry, he did. That's why his case is, perhaps, the most shameful and unnecessary.

Todd (Queens(NY))

Michael, home run derby is the best wiffle ball game ever. We had the perfect backyard with pine trees that we used as the home run fence!!!

Michael Kim

  (11:50 AM)

My next door neighbor had the perfect yard for a field. His neighbor to the back had a chain-link fence about 100 (?) ft from home plate and the fence had those tall, thin pine trees as perfect foul poles in the corners. We used to play all day long in the summers.

Hook (Southern Maryland)

Anyone ever use a wooden wiffle ball bat. It is fun with one of those.

Michael Kim

  (11:51 AM)

Wooden wiffle bat? That's like corking? Get outta here!

Hook (Southern Maryland)

We used tennis rackets too.

Michael Kim

  (11:53 AM)

Hook... I'm sure you guys had fun but it wasn't wiffle ball you were playing.

Aaron (Denver)

Michael...The Big Red bat or the Long Yellow Bat?

Michael Kim

  (11:55 AM)

Long yellow bat was the official bat of the KBFLeague (Kim-Baer-Ferrugia League, which we called it). But I have fun with my son's blue bat with the MLB logo and the barrel which is probably 5 inches in diameter. The ball sounds like a cannonshot when it comes off the sweet spot.

Todd (Queens(NY))

Michael, I had the best riser ball in the neighborhood and we would play all day long in our back yard. The scores were low because we could pitch well. I loved ringing up my friends!!!

John (Austin)

Long yellow one baby! the big red one was for toddlers

Tom (River North)

Wood bats? Tennis rackets? That is not wiffle ball. Those people are tainting the game...

RJ (Boston)

The big red bat did to Wiffle, what steroids did to baseball. Made HR Derby the only game worth playing.

James Denver

Wood bat in Wifgle ball? You should of gotten band for life! You have to use the Yellow plastic bat CHEATER!!!!!!!

Todd (Queens(NY))

Never a wooden wiffle ball bat!!! Always the yellow skinny one. Plus the wooden bat cracks the plastic ball.

Rob (Tallahassee, Fla.)

Wooden wiffle bats are the size of broomsticks.......different animal

Michael Kim

  (12:03 PM)

Rob - but the thin, yellow , plastic bats force you to use your own natural power.

James Denver

The fat red bat was for softball players and toddlers. Real wiffle ball players would never use anything excepf good old skinny yellow.

Dante (Durham)

Fun to use the house as the left field boundary. Hard to get that wiffleball over the "green monster".

Ryan (West Chester, PA)

You guys are making me long for those long Summer days of yore playing Wiffle ball with family and neighborhood friends.

Will (WV)

Its Wiffle ball time! Lets get a leaguy going....that wouldbe fun to watch.

John (Austin)

I have to admit, I loved using my Andre Thornton bat I got at Bat Day at an Indians game to play wiffle ball from time to time. Sadly, like most Indian players in the 70s, I couldn't hit either.

James Denver

Wiffle ball always started the best fights in the neighborhood.

Derek (MO)

remember the nerf bat that had the thing in it that slid up and down for "added power"? thing was great in wiffle ball

Will (WV)

Use a broom stick and use the cap from a 5 gallon water container as a ball...thats oldschool in D.R.

Dante (Durham)

At least with wiffle ball, you can throw a nice whistling curve to strike the batter out as opposed to the Derby.

Will (WV)

I am gonna go play wiffle ball!

Michael Kim

  (12:07 PM)

Good call, Will... On that note, have a good weekend everyone!