Thursday’s edition of First Take on ESPN got off to a red-hot start as Stephen A. Smith took to the airwaves in a nearly twenty-minute opening segment, primarily focused on his responses to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James’ appearance on The Pat McAfee Show the day before. As the day progressed, tensions between Smith and James only escalated. Overnight, the Lakers forward posted a video of Smith attempting to box while recovering from surgery. This was in response to Smith’s earlier remark that he would have “immediately swung on him” if James had touched him during their recent courtside confrontation at a Lakers game.
At the beginning of the show, Smith expressed his belief that James continues to engage with him through the media because of his obsession with not being universally recognized as the greatest basketball player of all time. As a result, Smith used the show’s chyron to sarcastically highlight James in an overly positive light—not just as a basketball player but also as a father, philanthropist, and human being.
“You’re LeBron James,” said Smith. “Are you that butt hurt over the things that I’m saying that you would post the video? When has LeBron James ever done something like that? But suddenly you’re doing that as it pertains to me. This man is in his feelings, I wonder why?”
Following this, Smith delved into why he believes Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan holds the title of the greatest player of all time, while still acknowledging James’ immense impact on the game. He then reiterated how frequently he has praised James as one of the best players in history.
“I mean, my God, I’ve done everything but put diapers and a bib on this brother,” Smith explained. “But it ain’t enough because one thing matters to him, and one thing only. That’s him being recognized as the greatest of all times. Well, you’re not. In my book, that belongs to Michael Jordan.”
Smith then pointed to several controversial topics involving James that he had previously chosen not to discuss. This included James’ absence from Kobe Bryant’s memorial service following his tragic passing, as well as his decision not to attend former teammate Dwyane Wade’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith clarified that he had avoided addressing these situations in the past because they involved James’ personal life. However, when it comes to on-the-court matters, he made it clear that he will not hold back.
“The brother ain’t scaring me. Ain’t nobody shivering this way,” stated Smith. “I don’t care what he feels or what he has to say. I stand by the things that I said. I have never, ever gone after somebody’s family, and I would never do that. He is creating this narrative because he can’t accept the fact that I won’t kiss the ring and acknowledge him as the greatest ever. Why? Because he is not.”
To further drive his point home, Smith referenced his newly signed multi-year contract with ESPN, emphasizing that James will have to continue dealing with his criticism both during his playing career and long after it ends.
“He knows, like everybody else, it’s going to be a little while before I go away,” explained Smith. “I’m going to be here when he’s gone. You got to deal with that, bro, plain and simple.”
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