Chris “Mad Dog” Russo reveals how he can get on Stephen A. Smith’s nerves and what topics he can use to upset his co-star from “First Take”

IF there’s anyone who can get under First Take’s Stephen A. Smith’s skin, it’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.

Russo first joined First Take as a guest analyst in 2022 and has appeared weekly alongside hosts Smith and Molly Qerim since then.

And as was evident in Russo’s recent appearance on the popular ESPN sports talk show, he knows exactly which buttons to push to annoy Smith.

Russo joined the hordes of social media users and Qerim who mocked Smith for his dramatic appearances in last season’s NBA playoff games.

He even went so far as to call it “the stupidest thing I have ever seen in my life.”

Russo later appeared on the Dan Patrick Show, where he was asked how he could piss Smith off.

“When I get involved with the NBA, that’s what annoys him,” Russo explained.

“He tripped me up yesterday with the five best duos of all time and got (Bob) Cousy and Sam Jones, and I think he did that for me.

“But he left (Jerry) West and (Gail) Goodrich out – the year they won 39 games in a row, they had 69 wins and they crushed teams in the postseason, both of which were incredible.

“And I think he was a little upset.”

Russo later recalled the aforementioned mockery of Smith’s arrival at NBA games.

“Yesterday I was making fun of him a little bit when he came into the gym in these beautiful suits, like he was about to be a player and score 35 points in a ball game,” he said.

“He loves it when you have fun with it.

“But I think if I enjoy playing the historian and think back to the old NBA days, then maybe he might get a little mad.”

He’s not the only Smith that Russo likes to tease on the show.

This honor also goes to his former ESPN colleague JJ Redick.

Russo’s habit of digging through historical archives irritated the former NBA star “terribly.”

“And I think that bothered Stevie A. a little bit,” Russo added.

“But it’s fun. I have fun there. I try not to take it too seriously. I laugh sometimes.”

“You and I try to avoid topics that could get you into trouble, and I try to do it basically from a sporting point of view.”

Redick apparently no longer has to worry about Russo’s taunts, because according to ESPN, the 39-year-old is set to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

While his appointment has not yet been announced by the team, the report states that Redick was offered a four-year contract on Thursday.