Stephen A. Smith Clarifies LeBron James’ Legacy Amid Stat-Padding Claims: “It Don’t Buy You GOAT Status”

Stephen A. Smith fired shots at LeBron James regarding the GOAT debate, continuing the rather strained relationship between the two.

Stephen A. Smith Clarifies LeBron James’ Legacy Amid Stat-Padding Claims: “It Don’t Buy You GOAT Status”

Stephen A. Smith (left) and LeBron James (right) have a strained relationship. (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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LeBron James, one of the greatest NBA players in the history of the game, has achieved everything there is to achieve, whether in the form of individual accolades, records or team success. Heading into an unprecedented 23rd season, James is yet to take to court this campaign as he continues to nurse sciatic nerve issues. After several weeks of individual training, an imminent return is on the cards.

It is a no-brainer that James and ESPN Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith have not been on the best of terms. The two have a publicly strained relationship marked by a courtside confrontation when a video went viral which showed James berating Smith after the game between the New York Knicks and LA Lakers on 6 March, which have continued through verbal swipes and accusations of lying.

The tensions began when Smith was often critical of how the Lakers have handled LeBron’s son, Bronny James, which did not sit well with LeBron. While Smith has maintained that his stance was about the management of Bronny’s career and not about Bronny himself, LeBron perceived it as a personal attack on his family.

Smith has repeatedly weighed in on the GOAT debate claiming that it has always been Michael Jordan as his number one while James is second in his all-time list and no matter how many individual records he continues to break, his stance is never going to change.

Recently, Smith featured on episode 1 of Ball In The Family podcast with host Lonzo Ball and he took a shot at James in the GOAT debate:

I am doubling down on that (on LeBron stat-padding to be the GOAT). It don’t buy you GOAT status. You are not getting that. Michael Jordan is the GOAT. Unquestioned. I have been saying that since the man retired.

LA Lakers are not built to win the NBA championship according to Stephen A. Smith

It has been a strong start to the campaign for the Lakers with eight wins in 11 games as Luka Doncic has been on a rampage alongside Austin Reaves as they have been a formidable offensive duo for JJ Reddick’s team. There is no fixed timeline for James’ return but the Lakers will be optimistic that things can only get better from here.

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Luka Doncic (left) and Austin Reaves (right) (Image credits – Athlon Sports)

While James may not have the same influence as he once did considering his age and 22 years of wear and tear in the NBA, he is still a force to reckon with. He is coming off a season averaging 24.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games in the 2024-25 season. But Stephen A. Smith disagrees. The sports analyst further added:

We don’t look at the Lakers and see a championship team. They are not beating the Oklahoma City. They are not beating Denver.

Victor Wembanyama continues to dazzle in the NBA

The 2023 NBA Draft number one pick, Victor Wembanyama, considered by many as one of the best basketball prospects ever, has been unstoppable this season. The 21-year-old has started the 2025-26 season with career numbers averaging 25.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and a league-leading 3.9 blocks, all career-highs, as the Spurs sit on 8-2 in their first ten games.

In his rookie season, the French sensation became the first rookie in NBA history to win first team All-Defensive honors, while simultaneously being the youngest in league history. Wembanyama is only in his third year and the league has never seen a player like this due to his rare combination of height, agility and skills. It looks like the center has a good shot at winning the MVP award if he keeps up his stellar form.

While LeBron is in the twilight of his career, it looks like Wembanyama is the perfect candidate to be the face of the league and carry the torch forward.

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