“You were scared!” – Stephen A. Smith admits LeBron James’ double standards sometimes ‘pisses’ him off

The legendary LeBron James is approaching his final years in the league.

“You were scared!” – Stephen A. Smith admits LeBron James’ double standards sometimes ‘pisses’ him off

Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James

LeBron James commands a certain level of respect and admiration only a seldom few can garner. But that reputation has taken him the full 22 years he has been in the NBA to build. Now as he closes in on his final few years, he continues to be in the GOAT conversation. A conversation that Stephen A. Smith has always sided towards his friend Michael Jordan. But that does not mean he does not appreciate the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

The longtime ESPN analyst was a guest on his colleague Udonis Haslem‘s podcast, The OGs Show. There he expanded on his opinion about the 4-time NBA Champion.

You think I enjoy having to say ‘Yo bro you were scared to shoot in the fourth quarter in that final series against Dallas. I don’t enjoy it, we talk basketball. Which was what used to piss me off about LeBron. The second you give him major props for what he accomplished he’ll soak it all in. The second you criticize him, ‘Well you know I’m just trying to be here for the kids’. It pissed me off.

Smith alluded that James’ back-and-forth nature has frustrated him. Instead of taking the criticisms in his stride, he deflects it.

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The example Stephen A. Smith gave is when LeBron James failed to come up with his clutch performances in the 2011 NBA Finals. More specifically in the 4th quarter. The criticism holds weight as James, often known as the go-to guy was outperformed by his teammate Dwyane Wade in almost every game.

Then when the criticisms were thrown in his direction, James deflected them. Instead of accepting them in the same manner he accepts praise. Smith gets pissed off when the 4-time NBA Finals MVP changes his tune when facing criticism.

LeBron James has since changed the narrative

Since the 2011 NBA Finals, LeBron James has become a changed man. 2 NBA titles followed in subsequent years with him leading the Miami Heat to glory. Then he returned to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and took them back to the NBA Finals. Famously winning the 2016 NBA title after coming back from down 3-1 behind James’ unbelievable performances.

Then his time with the Los Angeles Lakers has brought back success to the storied franchise. Winning the 2020 NBA Bubble title established LeBron James as one of the best of all time. Then he set the all-time scoring record, which has brought him alongside Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate.

Now as he looks to bring home the gold from the Paris Olympics, the soon-to-be 40-year-old superstar can add another feather in his cap. But the end might be near for one of the greatest to play the game. His final years playing alongside his son will further cement his legacy.

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