Stephen A. Smith Makes Strong Statement Against LeBron James After Decision 2.0

Some, however, took the advertisement personally and decided the world needed to hear their frustration with the announcement.

Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on the situation publicly while on the air for ESPN's “First Take." “This was corny as hell, it was cringy, it was all of that, we know this,” said Smith. “I don’t understand why [James] would stoop to try to garner attention to himself with something other than trying to win a damn championship. … If you play like garbage at any point in time when it really, really counts, I’m going to think about that Hennessy commercial and wonder if you were drinking some before the game.” 

While some may see these quotes as playful, Smith has been quick to blame or take away from James’ greatness through the years of his league domination. This is especially evident after the fiasco involving Smith’s callout of James as a father on his podcast, “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” and the pair’s confrontation in between quarters of a Lakers game. 

How Will James Respond?

Regardless of the accusations Smith makes of James, it is safe to say that he is not worried about his comments while he gears up for the upcoming season with Los Angeles. Redick has been adamant about the Lakers’ championship aspirations, and without the 21-time All-Star, those are marginal at best. 

Although the Lakers were disappointing in last year’s playoffs, losing to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, James was undoubtedly one of the best players in the league at 40 years old. James averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in 70 games played while achieving an All-Star selection as well as an All-NBA Second Team selection.