Source: MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images / Getty / LeBron James
Stephen A. Smith was in his feelings after James
gave his honest opinion on the state of NBA media following the Lakers’ win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. He pointed out the “weird energy” they give as the reason players like Anthony Edwards don’t want to be the “face of the league.”
LeBron James Criticism Triggered Stephen A. Smith Immediately
As promised on Thursday night via his X, formerly Twitter account, Stephen A. Smith said he would address it in Friday’s edition of First Take, and he did, and then some.
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“We could sit up there and say something smells like perfume, they’ll accuse us of saying it’s passing gas,” Smith said speaking specifically about NBA players. “No matter what we say about these players, there’s always something for them to complain about. When he talks about people covering the league, we know he’s talking about people like me. Damnit, I’m gonna say it, I’m gonna be cocky enough to say I’m one of the people he alluded to. That’s nonsense! I challenge anybody to show somebody that loves the NBA and supports the NBA more than me…and he’s not just talking about people like me. He talked about
Inside the NBA. He didn’t say their names, we know who you alluded to.”
He Had More To Say On SportsCenter
Smith was far from done adding more thoughts on the matter during a
SportsCenter and
NBA Countdown segment.
“I thought he was full of it,” Smith said, speaking about James on
SportsCenter. “I didn’t like it at all. I thought there was a level of culpability that he wasn’t embracing in all of this. Last time I checked LeBron James has a media company. Last time I remember, he’s had a shop where he has talked about things. Last time I remember, he wore number 23 and imitated Jordan’s number, giving the impression that he was going to try to eclipse Jordan. Inviting those comparisons. And then all of the sudden, when he was called upon to live up to it, anytime that we pointed out what was lacking we were hating. These kinds of things are the kinds of things that I pay attention to.”
Then on NBA Countdown, Smith continued his world tour of crying, “These players are not appreciating the fact that it is celebrated,” said Smith on
NBA Countdown. “They have heightened their level of sensitivity to the point where they have get an attitude if you have bad breath. It’s that bad, it’s really pathetic. When you look at this show. When you look at this show. When you look at the morning shows. When you look at NBA Today. When you look at Inside the NBA. When you look at a plethora of other shows at various other networks. There is a lot of time spent celebrating players and celebrating the game. This is a global iconic brand. How the hell did it get there? You had something to do with that Lebron. It’s B.S.”
Smith’s Crying Reached LeBron James
If Smith’s mission was to spark a response from LeBron James, he accomplished it because Bron wasted no time in addressing the ESPN mainstay via his account on X in a series of posts.
“Exactly made my point but anyways. Happy this convo has started. It ain’t about ‘face of the game” and it ain’t about one person or one show, it’s about the culture of basketball,, the most beautiful game in the world. Our game has never been better. Incredible young stars from all over the world and some older ones. Steph Curry should be all we are talking about today. Let’s discuss how great OKC and The Cavs have been this season with 2 completely different styles and break down why and how they have. Of course if players don’t perform we need to discuss that too and break that down.”
James continued, “Even that can be discussed in a way that’s not to bring finality to that players game but to leave room to see how that player responds and let’s watch the journey of that player.”
“This ain’t about me either. At this point i dont really care what’s said about me it’s always something. This is about the impact the negativity is having on our beautiful game and our fans. I know I speak for a lot of players and more importantly, a helluva lot of great fans that truly love and celebrate this sport around the world.”
Welp.
We are sure Stephen A. Smith will drag this on, you can see what X had to say in the gallery below.
