Surprising Twist In Stephen A. Smith’s Latest Dispute Could Win Over LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James is not someone who has shown his interest in being confined to just a basketball court. Over the past few years, the player has forayed into the world of business, fashion and even tried his acting skills out in a few movies and TV shows. The player has now made another addition to the same by entering the world of podcasts.

On the 20th, renowned ESPN sportscaster Stephen A. Smith released another episode of his personal show. During the same, he proceeded to discuss his thoughts on LeBron James and JJ Redick’s new podcast titled ‘Mind The Game’. Before proceeding ahead, the journalist highlighted a clip from the episode during which LeBron could be seen claiming that “Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game since I’ve been watching and covering it”. By referring to the two players as “relatable”, LeBron referred to the Warriors star and the former 76ers player as someone who “defy the odds”. Smith ended the clip and stated that he disagreed with the 39-year-old’s opinion, claiming that there are two other people he would place about Curry and Iverson.

“One would be Michael Jordan and the other would be LeBron himself,” said Smith. By highlighting the influence that both players have outside of basketball, Smith continued stating that “A lot of folks are following LeBron and MJ more than AI and Steph. Just pay attention and you can see.”

Stephen A. Smith has never shied away from referring to Michael Jordan as one of the best players to step foot on the basketball court. While his feelings towards LeBron have been reportedly mixed for quite some time now, the sportscaster’s recent comment highlights just how high he regards the four-time NBA champion to be.

LeBron James is fanboying over Stephen Curry

The clip highlighted by Stephen A. Smith was just a part of what LeBron James had said in favour of the four-time NBA champion. A major chunk of the first episode of the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast was spent discussing the contribution that Curry has made to the game of basketball.

During the segment, JJ Redick highlighted how, in the earlier days, coaches would “clear their benches” of players if their teams possessed a lead of 17 points or above. The same cannot be said about today’s NBA. LeBron provided his reasoning for this, stating that it all changed once Stephen Curry made his entry into the league during the 2008-09 season.

“I believe in 08-09 or whenever that light-skinned f***er came in the league, that’s in Golden State, he changed the whole narrative,” said LeBron as Redick let out a laugh. “He did. He singlehandedly changed the ‘no lead is safe’. It’s like Patrick Mahomes right now.”

Do you, like LeBron James, believe that Stephen Curry is amongst the most influential players in the NBA? Or do you side more with Stephen A. Smith’s opinion? Let us know in the comments down below.

READ MORE: “This Is It”: MJ Stan Stephen A. Smith Ends Speculation Around LeBron James’ Future