Stephen A. Smith still doesn’t like LeBron James, and the sky is still blue. Since the NBA superstar checked the ESPN analyst courtside last season, they’ve had issues. It’s widely understood that James did so because of Smith’s comments about his parenting. But Stephen A. has maintained it’s about something else.
LeBron is a fundamental part of the NBA‘s GOAT debate. Whether it’s him or Michael Jordan is a topic that has extensively dominated basketball discourse. While he doesn’t have the six championships MJ did, his case has been made by absurd longevity and statistical dominance. But Stephen A. insists that it isn’t enough.
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“I’m doubling down on that,” Smith said on the Ball In The Family podcast. Who the hell doesn’t know that? You’re in your 23rd year and you’re accumulating all of these stats, but you ain’t winning another MVP and you ain’t winning another Finals. So, you’re there because you’re going to accumulate these numbers.”
“We don’t look at the Lakers and see a championship team. You ain’t beating Oklahoma City. You ain’t beating Denver. Just understand: it doesn’t buy you GOAT status. You’re not getting that.
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ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith looks on before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
“Michael Jordan is my GOAT, without question. I’ve been saying that since the man retired, and there ain’t a damn person who can change my mind.”
There’s certainly nothing wrong with believing that MJ is the undisputed GOAT over LeBron. However, it’s safe to say that Smith’s opinion on the 4-time champion is far from unbiased. At this point, the more shots that SAS takes at James, the worse a look it is for him.
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