Stephen A. Smith Shades LeBron James For ‘Playing the Victim’ in GOAT Debate

Stephen A. Smith has long held the opinion that LeBron James is his second-best basketball player of all-time.

Stephen A. Smith Shades LeBron James For ‘Playing the Victim’ in GOAT Debate

Stephen A. Smith criticizes LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Stephen A. Smith criticizes LeBron James for portraying himself as a victim in the GOAT debate.
  • Smith claims LeBron initiated the negativity surrounding the discussion by calling himself "King James."
  • LeBron expressed a desire for appreciation similar to that given to Michael Jordan, despite ongoing criticism.

Nowadays, whenever Stephen A. Smith talks about LeBron James, fans have taken note that the usual negative undertones have been missing.

The ESPN analyst has put his past feud with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar to the side to praise the forward for his exemplary performances in the closing stages of the regular season and in the playoffs.

Fans felt that Smith may have subdued the ill feelings he had, as there was no way he could have continued with it, especially with the blowback he was receiving this year.

Earlier this season, fans felt that Smith’s criticism of James’ fashion choices and nuances in his lifestyle was him intentionally hunting for points to go at the basketball great.

Now, it seems he has a proper reason to shade the four-time champion after the latter reignited the GOAT debate with Michael Jordan.

He walks around with animosity and disgust… because debates he sparks actually happen. Then he wants to play innocent. Did we ask him to wear number 23 like MJ? Did we ask him to call himself King James? Did we not watch him after he won the finals in CLE… after trailing 3-1, did he not call himself the goat in the immediate aftermath of that?

Stephen A. Smith said on his namesake show

The father of two was speaking in reference to what his First Take colleague, Michael Wilbon, revealed about Jordan asking the media to ease off the criticism directed at LeBron James.

Stephen A. Smith believes that none of this would have happened had the Akron native not started the discourse on his own volition.

Stephen A. Smith claims LeBron James started the negativity

While first detailing how LeBron James has used the media to paint himself as a victim of the negativity surrounding the GOAT debate, Stephen A. Smith went on to describe how it was the Lakers’ superstar who started it all.

Stephen A. Smith blames Rich Paul and LeBron James for the negativity
Stephen A. Smith blames Rich Paul and LeBron James for the negativity (Image via College Sports Only/X)

In this generation, all of this moaning about people being ‘criticized on’ has come into the forefront, and the ring leader is LeBron James! In terms of creating that narrative.

Stephen A. Smith said

The ESPN executive producer added that James’ agent and close friend, Rich Paul, is also one of the reasons for this negativity. Smith recalled conversations with the Klutch Sports CEO where he joked that they were behaving as if naming James the No. 2 best player in NBA history was an insult.

Smith recollected that Paul did agree that it was an insult to name James No. 2. The analyst believes that the native mindset was responsible for this rhetoric. He also believes that they have nobody else but themselves to blame for this mess.

LeBron James stated that he was inspired by Michael Jordan

This entire conversation came about because LeBron James stated in his year-long interview with Dave McMenamin that he, too, would like people to appreciate him as well as Michael Jordan without the negativity.

I never thought that I could be him, but I dreamed of the opportunity to live in the shoes that he lived in. I dreamed of being able to be in a big game and hit a game-winner as the clock went down. I dreamed of having my own sneaker. I dreamed of flying through the air like him… Everything that he did.

LeBron James told Dave McMenamin

This was the four-time league MVP, revealing that he was inspired by His Airness and wanted to do the things that Jordan did during his stellar NBA career.

As much as James glazed the Chicago Bulls great in this interview, it will take a much bigger effort for the likes of Stephen A. Smith and other critics to stop throwing barbs at him.

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