Stephen A. Smith gets heated after LeBron James’ recent ‘face of the league’ comments.
LeBron James, the undisputed face of the NBA, called out the mainstream media while supporting Anthony Edwards’ stance on not wanting to take the role after the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent win vs the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The moment James made those comments, fans expected veteran NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith to run a segment on it via ESPN’s First Take. Well, Smith proved them right.
“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,” Smith said on First Take.
He also pointed out that James took a shot at Inside The NBA’s crew of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkely, and Kenny Smith. But was James wrong? If anything, Smith proved his point.
No offense to the ESPN expert; he knows how to pull a crowd. After all, he is one of the biggest sports personalities out there.
However, the veteran analyst unknowingly proved James’ point. 2x WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike countered Smith’s initial point with a Stephen Curry take.
“I think that we have a responsibility in this business to do two things: provide entertainment and to also provide analysis. And very few are better at the entertainment portion, especially this show than First Take,” Ogwumike said.
She added: “But the analysis I think is what players are looking for more. Even today the show is a good example. How much have we talked about Steph Curry dropping 56?”
Curry had his best game of the season while leading the Golden State Warriors to a 121-115 win over the Orlando Magic.
But Curry’s brilliance had to take a backseat to James’ comments, highlighting the current NBA media’s priorities.
If there’s one thing that fans are absolutely certain about Smith, it’s the fact that he doesn’t back down in a debate. The 57-year-old did the same after the former WNBA star made a valid point.
“How many players, how many former players, how many coaches, how many people who have been connected to the game, that celebrate the game, that are knowledgeable about the game that can espouse their knowledge about the game comes on a platform like this?
“They’re always welcome. Those cats don’t accept it. … How stupid can people be? We’re trying to promote a bigger message but they get caught up in their feelings,” Smith continued.
He concluded: Then they point to folks are saying on social media, lumping it all in to play victim. And y’all letting them get away with that? Come on.”
Regardless of what Smith said, there is no denying the current state of the NBA media. The level of hatred spewed about the top stars in the league has been on the rise over the last few years.
It doesn’t mean the media hates the NBA. After all, the product on a top show like First Take is a reflection of what basketball fans want to consume on a nightly basis.
