“I’m capable of being that guy. But I don’t want to be that guy,” Anthony Edwards’ unwillingness to be the face of the league did divide the internet as players like LeBron James and Steph Curry are in their last years on the court. The Akron Hammer who has held that pedestal for nearly two decades said it brings “weird energy”. The responsibilities the roles call for are gargantuan. The Lakers forward also pointed at the media for finding ways to demean the prolific talents. And, to say the least, did it pinch Stephen A. Smith as he blasted the 40-year-old player. But did it make sense?

As soon as Stephen A. Smith heard it, the First Take man had to respond. “Straight BS,” yes, that’s the word. He didn’t stop, but went a step further. He began the segment by pointing out how James essentially ruined the dunk contest and the 2025 All-Star game by announcing his injury only an hour before the show.

But is Smith always on the other side of James? Probably not. He did agree that there’s enormous pressure being the face of the league, but much of Smith’s defense included criticizing James’ decisions through the years. “You can talk about ‘The Decision’… What happened there? He has a 75-minute show, ‘The Decision’ to announce and surprise the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers that I’m leaving you. He had to find out on national television with the rest of America,” Smith said when highlighting some of James’ missteps.

The revered analyst pinned the berth of the CBA and even Chris Paul’s rescinded trade to the Lakers on the 40-year-old. “No matter what we say about these players there’s always something for them to complain about,” he further stated. Stephen A. Smith also turned “cocky” and felt LeBron James’ comments were directed at him.

He reaffirmed to both Gilbert Arenas and Windhorst that no one loves the NBA more than him. Now, Smith does credit LeBron James. He has spoken about him highly on several occasions. Moreover, he also points to James’ impact that has helped the NBA grow. But he is not a supporter of him when it comes to his recent comments.

“To sit up there and why well why would you want to sit up there and be the face of the league when everybody’s talking bleep about you all the damn time. I’m sick and tired of them acting like everybody’s talking bleep about them all the damn time. I don’t know if you noticed Gilbert, LeBron James is hating on me to say that he is the second greatest player in the history of the sport,” another thing Smith referred to.

But through his passionate rant, did he manage to make a point?

Did Stephen A. Smith just play himself in the LeBron issue?

This isn’t to say Stephen A. Smith only takes digs at players because he doesn’t. But in response to LeBron James’ statement, the dignified analyst did use criticism as a way to get back at James. And how can fans not notice it? “You’re just making LeBron look right. Good job,” a fan wrote.

And it’s not only fans who agree with the four-time MVP. Brian Windhorst also feels “we are out of balance in the way we look at the NBA where we don’t celebrate the greatness as much as we should”. But Windy alludes it to the way the league is perceived. Fans are engaged by the hot takes and comparisons.

Holding his ground, Stephen A. Smith didn’t acknowledge those comments. Rather, he tried to point out some flaws throughout LeBron James’ basketball career, which may have led him to spew some criticism. The noticing fans, though, could only draw one conclusion. “So he goes on a rant talking s**t and says LeBron is wrong about the media talking s**t,” another fan wrote.

To some degree, the media landscape has changed. It isn’t because analysts are purposely trying to target the face of the league. Probably this brings attention. But with the past eras setting examples, it’s supposedly become the blueprint to follow. Step away and it is seen as a bad mark on one’s resume. Smith’s criticism of James’ dunk contest participation is one of the few highlights.

As fans saw it, all he did was feed fire into what LeBron James said. Comments such as “Stephen A just did a really nice job proving LeBron’s point” and “He actually started making LeBron point. This dude so gullible,” is prominent throughout the string of thousands of replies.

Stephen A. Smith does his job with extreme research and precaution, but in today’s age, being the face of the league does come with added expectations. A sour move can tarnish one’s legacy for a lifetime. Just look at how they treat James’ 2011 Finals run or even Jayson Tatum not winning the Finals MVP.

Ultimately, it all seems driven by preferences. Those who love Michael Jordan will do their all to find ways to diminish LeBron James and vice versa. In this never-ending cycle, as Windy pointed out, the greatness within the league is getting lost.

Some want to embrace what it means to be the face of the league. Others are like Anthony Edwards, who just wants to play ball. But as far as the current social space goes, what sells is debated. As mentioned, Smith and various other analysts aren’t trying to throw shade. However, it seems to be an inadvertent consequence due to the current norms.