Shannon Sharpe Reminds Byron Scott About Kobe Bryant’s Late Struggles Defending LeBron James

When the Los Angeles Lakers were struggling in February, many switched between criticizing LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and head coach JJ Redick, pinpointing their mistakes.

Most of it was directed at the latter two, with the Slovenian hearing it from almost anyone and everyone in the sports media world. Either they were pointing at his constant complaints to the officials.

Or, they were arguing over how his ball-hogging tendencies had made the Lakers inefficient, slow, and predictable, which led to the embarrassing losses.

Then some felt Redick should call out Doncic, and those who were simply not doing what was best for winning. In the midst of this, the likes of Stephen A. Smith and a few others spared LeBron James, as they pointed out how he was merely a passenger in this mess.

But a certain Byron Scott pointed out how the 41-year-old should leave the Los Angeles Lakers. He gave no reason and was having a laugh about it on a local radio station. That irked Shannon Sharpe.

What the Lakers were in Kobe’s last 3 years, and when Kobe left, they knew what the Lakers were. I don’t know what this is… If LeBron doesn’t come, the Lakers aren’t selling for (ten) billion dollars… I don’t know what LeBron did to piss so many great players off.

Shannon Sharpe said on Nightcap

Former Laker Byron Scott says it’s time for LeBron to GTFO of LA. Unc doesn’t understand what LeBron did to piss so many people off 👀🤨 @ShannonSharpe | @Ochocinco | #Nightcap pic.twitter.com/yx1d3Hz6bG

— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) March 2, 2026

The NFL Hall of Famer wondered how Byron Scott conveniently forgot how the Lakers were in Kobe Bryant‘s last few years, and after he left. If the former coach did not criticize the late Lakers great, then why are they criticizing LeBron James now?

Shannon Sharpe points to possible jealousy over LeBron James’ criticism

While trying to explain why the likes of Byron Scott, a Los Angeles Lakers legend, were taking shots at LeBron James, who was currently with the team, Shannon Sharpe resorted to an analogy involving his NFL career.

These guys, currently in the NFL, get privileges and things we didn’t get. But I don’t begrudge them. Because we got things in the 90s and 2000s that guys in the 70s and 80s didn’t get… It’s this thing called evolution. The game evolves, and people get more things. It’s OK.

Shannon Sharpe said

The former ESPN analyst pointed to the possibility of the recent criticism stemming from ‘jealousy’ over how the King has handled himself while wearing the purple and gold.

It could have stemmed from the recent reports that Jeanie Buss did not appreciate how the all-time leading scorer wielded his power.

But to that, Sharpe felt there were enough instances of power play in the past. Therefore, it seems as if these Lakers greats are not happy with how James was being the one dictating terms and possibly holding the franchise hostage.

LeBron James and Lakers pull off second-straight win

Whatever those criticisms are, LeBron James will take the time to decide where he will end his career. To arrive at that decision, he would like to see how the Lakers perform from now on until the end of the season.

After their recent three-game skid, the team turned it around with a blowout performance against the Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors. Next, they faced the Sacramento Kings back on home turf.

However, they brought whatever gameplan they executed against the Warriors back home, as the men in purple and gold jumped out of the gates and never looked back.

Eventually, they won with a score of 128-104 against a Kings team struggling without some of their lead players. Even though that should keep the Lakers grounded, getting two wins on the trot could help them steer themselves back onto the correct path.

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