Our boy Austin Rivers was on ESPN’s Argument Special First Take earlier this week and hot damn am I proud he’s a Pelican. Others would have defended the rebrand as well, but Austin fires back with a little touch of authority. Check the clip below and then let’s break it down.
The host says they were making fun of the name at the morning meeting (unprofessional!) and that she was surprised that Austin liked the name to which Skip Bayless says “Noooooooo” like someone asked him if he sleeps upside down. Stephen A. Smith says “how could you possibly justify that” which is pretty much like saying “isn’t New Orleans just everyone taking off their tops cause they want them plastic things so bad” (no, Stephen, that’s all the people who visit New Orleans, not people who live here).
When Austin gets to his reply, he leans in with one shoulder as if to say, “I know I’m right. I’m about to make you all look silly. Check out my lean.” Leaning while sitting is for people who know what they’re talking about.
Then this Stephen guy puts words in Austin’s mouth. “That’s something your daddy would say. Can’t change it, might as well love it.” But that’s not what Austin said – he said he likes the name, the colors, he likes all the changes. I’m starting to get mad now.
At :56 seconds Smith says “I got to actually cover the New Orleans Pelicans?” Well, Stephen, no you don’t. And no, you probably won’t.
As soon as this argument gets interesting and Rivers’ gets the upper hand (“What is a Clipper”) the host (probably) gets a signal from the producer to stop talking about this because it’s beginning to make sense. They go to commercial and most of the country is probably thinking “lol Pelicans man, birds are dumb”. Which is fine by me – y’all still don’t understand most of the things we love down here.
He said some other stuff too – audio is right here, friend.
Chris Trew is a New Orleans-based comedian who performs weekly at The New Movement. Follow him on Twitter here for jokes, basketball jokes and non-basketball jokes. Help him make a movie here. Listen to his New Orleans sports podcast Trew to the Game right here.
13 responses to “Let’s Replay Austin Rivers on First Take”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DdIR-Ni7Nc
Here’s some more video, too. Was proud of Rivers. I like him representing our franchise
The jornalist on ESPN are an bunch of morons.They do nothing but circus jornalism.
I liked his “bite” (lol). He wasn’t afraid to speak up and defend his employer, his team and now his city among those very aggressive personalities of Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith. I loved the line when he said, “Is a Hornet anymore aggressive?” That counter punch knocked them out the game. Way to go Austin. It was a proud moment. I met his Dad back in his playing days and he too is very straight forward which I personally love.
I don’t care what the naysayers say about Austin OR the Pelicans name.
The name is great and the kid will be great as well. First he’s got to learn.
The Pelican Lean?
Perhaps the successor to the Harlem Shake?
Caffeinedisaster, they don’t look like a coordinated group….The Pelican Lean could be a rhythmic disaster….lol
I have always been skeptical of Austin’s NBA career prospects. But he was more enthusiastic about being selected by New Orleans than any one I have seen in any sport. I wish him well, unreservedly.
Everything rivers said was true the more wins we get the more respect that comes with it thats good for a young team cause we gonna have to play with a little edge and something to prove every night
New found RESPECT for AUSTIN RIVERS..love how he stepped up for us!!..now that is what I LOVE to see out our players..way to go Austin!!…no matter what the say the ONLY TEAM that matter is the New Orleans PELICANS!!..hate it or love it WE Ain’t Going No Where
I’m glad that of all the terrible nicknames he could point out, Rivers immediately went after Clipper. Well done.
I was proud too. I am a big Rivers fan. He struggled a little bit this year but I attended about 8 games last season cheering him on. This video validated me wanting him to succeed. Hope he has a healthy emergence this year.
Yeah Skippy, what kind of name is that? Wait a second Steven A. What does the A. stand for? I believe we all know what the “A.” in your name stands for and it’s not angel…….
He’s a good kid, hoping the best for him as well!