ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has dramatically reignited his long-running feud with basketball superstar LeBron James, doubling down on controversial claims that the Los Angeles Lakers veteran is deliberately 'stat-padding' to enhance his legacy in the ongoing Greatest Of All Time debate.
The Stat-Padding Accusation
During a recent appearance on the 'Ball in the Family' podcast hosted by Lonzo Ball, Smith was asked about his previous remarks suggesting James was padding his statistics to bolster his case for GOAT status. The outspoken analyst didn't hesitate to reaffirm his position.
'I'm doubling down on that,' Smith declared emphatically. 'Who the hell don't know that? 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 don't buy you GOAT status. You're not getting that.'
Smith left no doubt about where his allegiance lies in the perennial basketball debate, stating unequivocally: '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.'
Lakers Thriving Amid James' Absence
The controversy comes as James remains sidelined with a sciatica issue that has kept him off the court to start the NBA season. The 40-year-old superstar, who is preparing for his remarkable 23rd season, became the league's all-time leading scorer in February 2023.
Interestingly, the Lakers have performed impressively without their veteran leader, currently boasting an 8-3 record despite James' absence. The team has seen outstanding performances from Luka Doncic, who's averaging a staggering 37.1 points, while Austin Reaves has also made significant scoring improvements.
James is reportedly expected to return to action sometime this month, though the exact timeline remains uncertain.
A History of Tension
This isn't the first time Smith has targeted James with sharp criticism. Earlier this year, the ESPN host accused James of 'exposing' his son Bronny and suggested the younger James should be developing his skills in the G League rather than the NBA.
'I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: Stop this,' Smith said during an episode of First Take. 'Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.'
These comments led to a tense courtside confrontation between Smith and James after a Lakers-Knicks game in March, with Smith later predicting that he and James 'may never speak in life again.'
'We don't get along. And there's a multitude of reasons why,' Smith explained on his own show. 'But we know what the biggest reason is. I ain't Shannon Sharpe, it ain't GOAT status this way. My GOAT is Michael Jordan... I watch the game. I'm a student of the game. I know a GOAT when I see one.'
Smith recently expanded on his criticism during an appearance on Carmelo Anthony's '7pm in Brooklyn' podcast, suggesting James presents different personas publicly and privately: 'You know, I believe he's one way publicly, he's another way privately.'
As the Lakers prepare to face the Thunder, Pelicans and Bucks on their current road trip before returning home for a November 18 clash against the Jazz, the spotlight remains firmly on both James' performance and Smith's ongoing critique. Meanwhile, Bronny James has seen his playing time nearly double to 12.7 minutes per game this season, adding another layer to this complex basketball narrative.
