NBA (DR) / Stephen A. Smith Show (DR)

Known as a die-hard Michael Jordan fan, Stephen A. Smith has often been harsh on LeBron James, to the point that he is sometimes labeled as one of his biggest critics. He wanted to set the record straight.

As strong as he is, LeBron James is not immune to criticism, and this observation applies to his entire career.

As such, even though we may have one of the most impressive records in history, we are not unassailable.

To tell the truth, like any other player, the King has been able to disappoint at certain key moments.

This has therefore earned him negative comments, sometimes somewhat exacerbated.

Stephen A. Smith shares his thoughts on LeBron James

Known for his always very divisive speeches, Stephen A. Smith has often raised his voice in debates about James. And in most cases, it was not necessarily to say good things about him.

So much so that many fans suspect the famous ESPN analyst of feeling resentment towards the King. A theory to which the main person concerned responded in the podcast The OG Show :

Stephen A. Smith: I don’t have the best relationship with LeBron James.

I don’t care if I don’t have the best relationship with him, but I know he’s great. I know he’s a great family man, a great ambassador for the game of basketball, a great role model.

I want him to own the new Las Vegas franchise if the NBA expansion goes through. (…)

But you think I like saying he was afraid to shoot in the fourth quarter of the Finals against Dallas?

No! We’re talking about basketball, and that’s what pissed me off about LeBron.

When you congratulate him on what he’s accomplished, he takes it in stride.

But when you criticize him, he’s like, “You know, I’m just trying to set an example for the kids and do the right thing for the community.”

It’s this kind of thing that annoys me about him because it’s a clever way of diverting attention from the basketball aspect and making it something other than basketball, when we’re talking about basketball.

In his tirade, Smith is obviously referring to LBJ’s disappointing and much-discussed performance in the famous 2011 Finals, lost to the Mavericks.

Being a huge Michael Jordan fan , this disillusionment has long been an argument used by the journalist to discredit LeBron in the GOAT debate.

But while some accuse him of being fixated on the four-time MVP, SAS assures that he has no resentment towards him as a person.

On the other hand, it is in the mental approach that the specialist disagrees with him.

For many, Stephen A. Smith has a visceral hatred for LeBron, which would lead him to criticize him regularly. However, the journalist assures that it is in fact the communication of the Chosen One following his failures that has always upset him.