150 editors, journalists, producers, and analysts helped produce the ESPN Top 100 Rank list for the upcoming season. Using 15,000 pairings and questioning the experts which player is better, the NBA rank prediction system helped make the Top 100 list. Even after such painstaking work and a wide range of opinions, many have blasted the list ceaselessly. These projects haven’t sat well with many in the league. The number one or two spot was a tight fight between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, and The Greek Freak barely got the number 1 position. 

But that hasn’t created a huge buzz. It is the absence of LeBron James from the top-five list that has enraged many in the NBA world. But in this wake, one of James’ biggest critics Stephen A. Smith has seen a role reversal as he talks to Shannon Sharpe.

Shannon Sharpe and LeBron James have mutual love

In January this year, LeBron James revealed his feelings about Sharpe. As per Bleacher Report, he expressed, “I ride with Shannon 365 days—366 on a leap year—24/7.” These comments came when Sharpe got in a popular spat with Ja Morant’s father, Tee Morant during Lakers-Grizzlies fixture. After the recent ESPN hire mocked Dillon Brooks for being too small to guard LBJ, Tee Morant exchanged heated words with him. This escalated into a scuffle.

This is why when James was asked about Sharpe, he was all praises as the analyst has always had his back. Sharpe worships King James and has called him GOAT repeatedly. For James, such praise is welcoming because he also sees himself as the greatest of all time. However, Sharpe’s latest analysis can raise his eyebrows.

During the recent episode of First Take, the former FS1 analyst bamboozled Stephen A. Smith. As they were discussing ESPN’s Top 10 list, the former NFL superstar rolled out his choices. This led to one of the strangest exchanges ever. After leaving LBJ out of the top-five list, Sharpe stated, ”I gotta put Jayson Tatum and LeBron James together, because Jayson Tatum is youn..”

To this, Stephen A. Smith reacted in his usual flair.

Role-reversal for Stephen A. Smith and Sharpe

As the former Undisputed analyst was finishing his sentence, the long-term ESPN analyst held his chest and taking deep breaths, he acted like his heart was aching. He halted Sharpe and exclaimed, ”I can’t believe it! You don’t have LeBron James top-five? You don’t have GOAT James Top Five!” He continued,”You Shannon Sharpe! You okay! I can’t believe it!” Sharpe defended his take by stating,”I gotta get 65 games out of you. I got to. In the last couple of years, you haven’t given me that. You can’t keep giving me 55 games. I need more. I demand more.”

READ MORE: Entering His 21st Year, Shannon Sharpe Asserts LeBron James’ NBA Reign Is Far From Over

Then Stephen A. Smith questioned how can he put Doncic over LBJ, because the defensive difference is too much. Then upon close, the long-time ESPN employee once again admitted that “I am shocked”.

What do you think about Sharpe leaving LBJ out of the top-five?

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