The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Obvious tell; Worm’s conspiracy; ESPN’s benefit
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:47Read transcript
- Chris argues Mike should spot Teddy’s cookie tell much earlier given his hand-reading skills. Malkovich reportedly added the near-ear cookie opening to the scripted eat/not-eat signal; how that works is questioned. — Chris Ryan
- Van imagines a Cape Fear-like sequel in which Worm deliberately ruins Mike, even diverting the repaid loan through Jo. This is an invented conspiracy, not an asserted plot reveal. Serpico and Kaiser Sozay character comparisons follow.
- Another take calls ESPN the biggest beneficiary because poker filled long summers; a hockey-strike explanation is questioned and celebrity storytelling is praised. This is not a Who Won ballot.