JJ Redick once brutally shut down Stephen A Smith in LeBron James vs Michael Jordan debate 

JJ Redick has been making rounds on the internet after his LeBron James-Micahel Jordan debate with Stephen A. Smith resurfaced lately.

JJ Redick once brutally shut down Stephen A Smith in LeBron James vs Michael Jordan debate 

Stephen A Smith and JJ Redick

The question of who the best NBA player is has been debated for years, with comparisons between LeBron James and Michael Jordan. James is in his 22nd NBA season this year and is still playing at a high level. Notably, the current Los Angeles Lakers HC JJ Redick once opened up on this topic with James’ recent enemy Stephen A. Smith back in 2021.

Redick disagreed with Smith’s suggestion during a First Take discussion that James isn’t feared in the same way that Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan were during their careers. This led to them engaging in a fairly heated back-and-forth discussion about it that felt more natural from both ends. In addition, fans feel that Redick brutally put an end to Stephen A. Smith’s words regarding the debate.

Stephen A Smith started by saying “If you watch the game” to which JJ Redick immediately responded “I played the game for 15 years” before moving on to the ‘fear’ debate between James and Jordan. But the response from Redick sent the NBA community into a frenzy as the old video has resurfaced on social media lately.

It’s also important to remember that the sport has evolved significantly since the 1980s and early 1990s when team and player rivalries were much more fierce.

Although Redick’s remarks regarding his genuine fear of facing James in a head-to-head match are an intriguing viewpoint from someone who faced him numerous times during his career. However, the NBA media are unlikely to resolve the argument.

Stephen A. Smith recently ‘put an end’ to the LeBron James-Michael Jordan debate

LeBron James became the first player in history to reach the 50,000-point milestone during this season. During an episode of the “First Take” show, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith seemed to resolve the Jordan-James controversy. This was despite Michael Jordan’s tremendous accomplishments, which include six NBA Finals victories and fourteen All-Star selections.

I know and we all know I’m putting nobody ahead of Michael Jordan. Nobody. And I stand on it, My definition of the GOAT is you at your best against anybody else at their best. There’s nobody who has been as good [as LeBron James]. Meaning [in terms of] longevity, a sustained level of pristine excellence, LeBron James is the GOAT in that category.

Stephen A. Smith said

Smith went on to say that it is “absolutely phenomenal” to see James, 40, play at this point in his 22nd season. Jordan spent 15 years in the NBA, but James, who is in his 22nd year, is still one of the league’s finest players with the Lakers in the Western Conference with barely a few weeks to go. However, it remains to be seen how far James and Co. go during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Stephen A Smith earlier this season admitted that ‘he was high on the Lakers’

The Los Angeles Lakers have been doing good this season under the leadership of new HC JJ Redick. So much so that, their harsh critics have also complimented them this season. For example: Stephen A. Smit of ESPN. Smith, who frequently doubts the Lakers’ chances of making the playoffs, expressed some admiration for Los Angeles and coach Redick during a postgame panel discussion on ESPN.

Believe it or not, I’m high on the Lakers. I think JJ Redick is doing a hell of job thus far. I’m liking the elevation of Austin Reaves and LeBron hasn’t even gone off yet.

Stephen A. Smith said
YouTube video

Smith went on to stress how important the Lakers’ bench members will be to their chances of winning in the postseason. If the Lakers can stay healthy during the season, fans should expect some major accomplishments come May, Smith added. Notably, this was before the addition of star Luka Doncic, which boosted the Lakers’ chances of winning the NBA 2025 title.