“Not a Guy To Stand In The Corner,” Shannon Sharpe Calls Out Lakers for ‘Disrespecting’ LeBron James

Shannon Sharpe said he is not happy with how the Los Angeles Lakers are treating LeBron James.

“Not a Guy To Stand In The Corner,” Shannon Sharpe Calls Out Lakers for ‘Disrespecting’ LeBron James

Shannon Sharpe on LeBron James (Image credits - FirstSportz)

In Short
  • The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their third consecutive defeat, losing 113-110 to the Phoenix Suns.
  • LeBron James' role on the team has diminished as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves take on more responsibilities.
  • Shannon Sharpe criticized the Lakers for not utilizing LeBron effectively, stating he shouldn't be sidelined in the corner.

It appears that the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, are starting to show inconsistencies in form since the turn of the year. They suffered their third consecutive defeat on Thursday night. In a heated contest at the Mortgage Matchup Center, the Lakers were beaten 113-110 by the Phoenix Suns, who were without the services of their star players – Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.

The Lakers were beaten on the road after a long eight-game home stretch. The loss dropped their record to 34-24 as they sit at sixth place in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Suns are just one game behind the Lakers for 11th place, improving their record to 34-26.

While LeBron James has shown no signs of slowing down since turning 41, it is not his team anymore. Since joining the Lakers at the trade deadline last season, Luka Doncic has been the focal point of this team as the Lakers’ front office prepares for life in the post-James era. 

There have been doubts over James’ future with the Lakers over the last few weeks. With Doncic and Austin Reaves forming a formidable offensive duo this season, James may contemplate a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers as his contract with the Lakers ends at the end of this season.

On his Night Time podcast, former Super Bowl champion and diehard James fan Shannon Sharpe said he is not happy with how the Lakers are treating LeBron James.

LeBron is not a guy to stand in the corner. The guy has had the ball for 90% of his time in the league. He don’t bring the ball up anymore, that’s Austin Reaves. Luka, Marcus Smart. He runs to the corner.

Despite being in the top-six after nearly 60 games, the Lakers are still not viewed as championship contenders this year. While James has seen his role in the team decline this season because of Doncic and Reaves, he is still averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and seven assists.

Ima Shumpert says LeBron James is the ‘Chat GPT’ of the NBA

There is no doubt that LeBron James is one of, if not the greatest, player to ever play basketball. His legacy is defined by sustained excellence, longevity, and high basketball IQ. Shumpert spent nearly four years with James in Cleveland.

Iman Shumpert and LeBron James
Iman Shumpert and LeBron James (Image credits – Basketball Forever)

Speaking on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Shumpert said James is essentially “ChatGPT” in human form when it comes to basketball knowledge.

This the best way I can describe shorty. He is Chat GPT. You can ask him anything, he knows. He know the coaches, assistants, the player development. It took me a month to get used to him saying X1, X2, X3. I’m like bro stop. To learn from lead by example and then to learn from example but if you don’t get it, I’ll come teach it to you. Most athletes better than you give you one pointer, if you can’t do it, give it to me. Bron will give you the learning curve.

Shumpert’s words for James show why the four-time champion is one of the most successful players in NBA history. The 2025-26 campaign represents James’ 23rd season in the NBA. A number no player has ever achieved.

Iman Shumpert claims Kyrie Irving left the Cleveland Cavaliers to beat LeBron James

When James returned to Cleveland in 2014, Kyrie Irving was an upcoming prospect. When paired with James, the two stars formed one of the greatest offensive duos in the game. However, after three consecutive NBA Finals, Irving decided to leave the Cavs for the Boston Celtics.

Shumpert broke down what really pushed Irving out of Cleveland, and why he wasn’t surprised that he wanted to leave.

Kyrie is a Kobe guy. Kyrie wanted to beat LeBron, and that’s okay. People like to say ‘Oh, that was dumb’ because you’re a team-up kind of guy. That’s not Kyrie. Kyrie is like ‘The only way I can be crowned the best is if I beat the best. I got to go head-to-head with you; I can’t team up with you.

While Irving has never won a championship since leaving James, he did make it to the NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks alongside James’ current teammate, Luka Doncic, in 2024. Irving is currently recovering from an ACL tear.

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