Even Stephen A. Smith isn’t buying ‘mad man’ Skip Bayless ranking LeBron James 9th in NBA history

Stephen A. Smith calls out Skip Bayless for LeBron James’ all-time ranking

Speaking via Stephen A.’s Straight Shooter Show, Smith reacted strongly to Bayless placing LeBron outside even the top five.

“I’ve got LeBron number 2 all time. This mad man known as Skip Bayless that’s right I’m going to call him a mad man for the purposes of this subject matter. He’s got LeBron at number 9, at number 9?

“He’s got Magic Johnson ahead of him, he’s got Shaquille O’Neal ahead of him, he’s got Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ahead of him, he’s got Tim Duncan ahead of him, he’s got Kobe Bryant ahead of him, he’s got Larry Bird ahead of him,” Smith said.

He added, “I’m like, come on man, come on man. Skip Bayless done lost his d___ mind it’s ridiculous.”

The reaction captured just how far apart the two analysts remain when it comes to evaluating LeBron’s legacy, especially considering Smith has consistently ranked him near the very top of the all-time list.

Why Skip Bayless continues to rank LeBron James outside his top tier

Bayless’ stance is not new, but it remains one of the most controversial positions in the ongoing GOAT debate.

His reasoning centers less on overall production and more on what he describes as “clutch gene” and mentality in high-pressure moments.

Bayless has repeatedly argued that the players ahead of LeBron are “cold-blooded killers,” while questioning LeBron’s late-game performances and decision-making in key situations.

He has also pointed to LeBron’s NBA Finals record and free-throw shooting in crucial moments as factors that prevent him from moving higher on the list, even while acknowledging his longevity and statistical dominance.

That approach stands in sharp contrast to the broader consensus, where most analysts place LeBron either first or second all-time based on his combination of sustained excellence, versatility and career achievements.

It is that gap between opinion and consensus that continues to fuel reactions like Stephen A.’s. Because for many, the debate is close. But not that far apart.