Speaking on the 'OGs' show, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith explained his complicated history with LeBron James . In a candid statement on the relationship between himself and the Lakers star, he opens up on what exactly went wrong.
"I don't have the greatest relationship with LeBron James but I don't give a damn about now having the greatest relationship with him. But I know he's great. I know he's a great father, a great family man, an ambassador, a great role model, great basketball player. I want him to get an ownership stake in the new Las Vegas franchise. You think I enjoy having to say, 'Yo bro you were scared to be in the 4th quarter in that Finals series vs Dallas?' We talk basketball, which is 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 but the second you criticize him it's 'You know I'm just trying to be here for the kids and trying to do what's right for the community. That was a slick way to take attention away from the basketball element and make it about something other than basketball."
Stephen A. Smith has been a prominent voice in the NBA media for decades now and he has connections that stretch far and wide. In the case of LeBron James, however, he's been completely shut out and it's widely known the two have no relationship -- neither personal nor professional.
While James hasn't outright spoken out against Stephen A., the ESPN broadcaster feels that the beef began back in 2011, when the Heat took on the Mavericks in the NBA Finals. That season was the first run of the new "big three," which consisted of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
After his decision to join them in 2010, the Heat became a focal point of NBA coverage and expectations were sky-high from the very beginning. After going 58-24 that season, the Heat cruised to the Finals and were heavy favorites to win against an underdog Mavericks team.
That series ended up being the worst of LeBron's entire career. He averaged 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in six games against the Mavs while shooting 47.8 percent from the field.
When the Heat lost that series, it was a shock to the entire world and LeBron's very legacy was threatened in a way that it hasn't been since. While James would go on to avenge his performance in that Finals with back-to-back championships, it didn't come without heaps of criticism, and Stephen A. Smith was one of his loudest naysayers at the time.
Smith called out LeBron for his passiveness with the ball and he put him on blast for being afraid to shoot. LeBron did not take the words kindly and essentially severed his ties with Stephen A.
Mr. Smith is not phased by being ghosted by LeBron but it's a shame that a series that was so long ago has had such a profound impact on their relationship. It also makes you wonder who else LeBron might have cut off after some critical words.
Related: Jayson Tatum On How LeBron James Made Him Cry When He Was 11
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