The quarrel between the Lakers LeBron James striker and the personality of ESPN Stephen A. Smith warmed this week. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Time and Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images)
THE LeBron James-Stephen A. Smith Feud has increased this week in a large way.
Soooo … What side are you on? Before answering, here is a quick summary:
In January, Smith used his platform as an ESPN host to make an appeal to the antenna at the Lakers superstar about his son and teammate of the Bronny James: “I beg LeBron James as a father: Stop this,. … we all know that Bonny James is in the NBA because of her father. “”
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This month James confronted Smith with angerWho was sitting on the edge of the court in a Lakers match. Smith did not seem to answer, but a few days later, on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast that he thought that James’ confrontation movement was “weak” and “some bulls.”
Find out more: Stephen A. Smith would have “balanced” LeBron James if he had touched him. The Lakers Star Le Trolls
This week, James replied by taking Smith on Espn “Pat McAfee show“… then Smith said on his own podcast that He would have “swung” James If the 6 -foot 9 inch superstar had been contacted during their interaction in the field … then James Published a video on Instagram intended to make fun of the analyst’s fighting skills … then Smith I went with a 15 -minute rant on James On “First Take”.
So, yes, it was a pretty crazy week.
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You still can’t choose one side? Here is what some NBA experts feel the question.
Charles Barkley: There are only losers in this scenario
During an appearance on Friday on “Dan Patrick’s show“We asked Barkley who had a better week, Smith or James? The player of the renowned temple and TNT analyst said that he loved the two men but” they both had a terrible week “.
“I always liked Lebron but being a tyrant, it turned off, Dan,” said Barkley. “But I will say this: Stephen A., the way he reacted was so lame and weak. And Stephen A. is a good guy, the man. LeBron, as I say, I blame him to have started intimidation, going to the right patter of the people of intimidation.
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“But the way Stephen A. reacted – going to Gilbert’s podcast, speaking hard. Come on, guy, you are better than that. So there are only losers, Dan, in this scenario.
Matt Barnes: Stephen A. crossed the line
The co-host of the Podcast “All The Smoke” published a video Thursday on Instagram in which he said he was taking the side of James.
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“He was examined all the time (he was in the NBA) and he was finally released and was simply not filtered,” said Barnes, a former ESPN analyst who had two stays with the Clippers and one with the Lakers during his 14 -year NBA career. “An underect, without restraint, with Pat Mac, who was dope. As, I played against Bron for a long time and I do not know this side of him. So, as a fan, as a person who played against him, I want to know the funny side, the side of Bron. After 22 years of someone who is always (taken) the high road, he was tired and dropped a clip.
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“Obviously, Stephen A. is the person who caught it, but it was really of all the media. … As, I think you sometimes forget that this man is human.”
Barnes added, addressing Smith: “You my dog, but I think you crossed the line.”
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And in James, Barnes said: “Continue to talk about your S -. We have not seen this side of Kobe (Bryant) that later. People want to know what it looks like, and you gave them an overview today, guy.”
Adam Silver: I feel particularly protective of our players
The NBA Commissioner was asked about the situation While addressing journalists after a two -day meeting of the Governors’ Council in New York. Silver did not mention James or Smith by name and did not take sides but recognized “I feel particularly protective towards our players”.
“There is apparently as much interest in social media for this league at certain times as all the other combined leagues,” said Silver. “It is therefore a sword with two sharpness. Sometimes it is measured in inches of column, and it is wonderful to see so much interest in our sport. At the other moment, I creak with a large part of the blanket.
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“I would just say in terms of (the) back and forth, once again, I did not have the opportunity to look at or read precisely what happened today, but, of course, I would like the accent to be put on the game on the ground. And I feel particularly protective of our players, of course, but I recognize that there is a chalet industry.
Paul George: the two parties are not mistaken
The 15 -year -old NBA veteran and current member of the 76ers of Philadelphia Tell USA TODAY He thinks that none of the parties is necessarily wrong, but they could both have managed the situation better.
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“I obviously think that LeBron, working as a father – you know, as a parent, you have a sensitive side to that, he defends his son and coming to his defense. But I think at the same time, where Stephen A. came from, and I heard his side of the story not to attack Bronny, but more to attack the words and what Bron said, which is saying. You want, sport is very involved to be criticized and this is the area in which you have put yourself.
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“So, I think the two parties are not false. As two black men, I think they could have managed this better. But, you know, I am completely for both sides getting out of what they need to leave their mind.”
Gilbert Arenas: LeBron has one point, but …
Weeks after Smith appeared on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast to discuss the incident of the court, the arenas and its co-hosts spoken of continuous drama in the episode on Thursday. Arenas, who played 11 years in the NBA, said that he understood James’ point of view but thinks that a conversation between the two men was late.
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“You must understand that the man involved his son. Everyone is passionate about his family. They will defend their family,” said Arenas. “But if I look at Bron, my brother, I would just have gone to scream him, you know what I say, on the political side.” Because he did how he did. Bron made the McAfee program, Bro. If you want to do this about it in the media, let’s go. “”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
