“Would have 250 points” LeBron James’ Giannis Antetokounmpo obliterating 70s NBA claim goes viral

Off late, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been on the attack against veteran members of the media.

“Would have 250 points” LeBron James’ Giannis Antetokounmpo obliterating 70s NBA claim goes viral

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo

The discourse surrounding the differences between current generation NBA stars and past greats has been going on for some time. Anthony Edwards started it all with his ‘skill’ based claim. That discourse has also brought in LeBron James in some capacity as athletes and media heads take shots at each other.

After Edwards claimed that 80s and 90s basketball was not skilled, it caused a furor amongst both the media as well as former players. Media members were not so kind, especially some of the veterans who called the Minnesota Timberwolves superstar a ‘fool’.

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But all Anthony Edwards was trying to do was to suggest that current generation players are also great in their own way. LeBron James stepped in support that argument when he defended Edwards by suggesting that it was the media that was slandering current players and making them sound bad.

That led to a furor as the likes of Stephen A. Smith and others came out to call him a hypocrite. Their argument was that James, and others were not good enough when compared to players from the past. That is why they deserve all the criticism. Now James has a reply.

You trying to tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play an NBA game in the 70s? Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in the 70s. 250!

LeBron James said

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar said this while speaking on The Pat McAfee Show. In this trailer, which was showcased on Scott Van Pelt‘s closing Sportscenter show, James claimed Giannis Antetokounmpo would dominate 70s NBA. No wonder this clip went viral as soon as it hit the internet.

LeBron James standing up for current generation stars

Whatever the context was, it is evident that LeBron James is doing his part to stand up for the NBA and its players. When he criticized veteran media personnel over their criticism, he seemingly pointed at the likes of Charles Barkley, Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.

Bayless has long been the primary offender when it came to criticizing current players. He calls them names and that has seemingly created a narrative around those stars. Now Bayless might be off television, but his criticism has not stopped.

He recently got into another mess when he suggested Kevin Durant is no longer the player he once was. The Phoenix Suns star hit back with a brutal response. But that was on a personal attack by Bayless, and not on the entire NBA.

But when discussions came up about the ‘face of the NBA’, James stepped in when those veteran analysts were criticizing players far too often. He believes none of them appreciate the game, unlike some other analysts who have praised players whenever needed.

Expect media veterans to get back into this discourse

This episode of The Pat McAfee Show will drop later. ESPN broadcasts that show. But is not a television only broadcast, and the network do not have major control over what is said. The show has also enabled many to speak their minds as it comes.

If the Los Angeles Lakers superstar does indeed call out those older media veterans, it could bring them back into this discourse. It could also blow the situation up in a big way as now, the superstar is not just confronting someone privately. Nor is he governed by FCC or NBA rules regarding what he can say.

Another clash will bring the national spotlight back onto the NBA and how its media partners cover the sport. An older LeBron James with not much time remaining in the league might be gearing up to say what he wants. This discourse could go either way but could benefit the NBA long term.