?Want to Thrash LeBron (James) Just for Clicks?: Two Years After His 12YO Son?s Harsh LBJ Criticism, Former ESPN Reporter Gets Gentle With Lakers Star

The sports media industry is known for its unabashed criticism and candid remarks on the players. Even a player’s legacy cannot shield him from being criticized every step of the way. On the contrary, the more famous you are, the more vulnerable you get to their attacks. Despite LeBron James having one of the most iconic careers, he has faced intense scrutiny and comparisons to former legends. In his 2-decade-long career, LeBron has collected every accolade, from championship titles to Olympic medals. And, still, veteran analysts drag him every opportunity they get. Addressing this concern, a former ESPN Reporter threw his weight behind King James, two years after his own 12YO old had called LBJ out.

Rich Eisen refuses to board the LeBron James hate train

Former ESPN Reporter Rich Eisen extended his support to The Akron Hammer on The Rich Eisen Show. While discussing the recent FIBA World Cup loss and LeBron’s wish to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Eisen highlighted a pertinent issue. He said, “Some of us in the industry want to thrash LeBron (James) for clicks.” TJ Jefferson twisted the words to take a shot at Skip Bayless and added, “We skip past those people“.

Skip Bayless is well known for his candid takes on athletes, but sometimes they can be borderline disrespectful. He did not hold back as he lashed out at LeBron James for stealing Michael Jordan’s jersey number 23. He also accused James of stealing his pre-game ritual from Jordan. According to Bayless, James used these as vehicles to invite comparisons between him and Mike.

However, Rich Eisen believes that some people in the sports media industry use such accusations to get more views on their show. This incident reminds us of the time Eisen himself took to X to share what his 12-year-old son had to say about LeBron.

What does Rich Eisen’s 12YO son have to say about LeBron James?

In a tweet from two years ago, Eisen wrote, “My 12-year-old son just asked: ?Why do they always call fouls just because LeBron wants it???His son’s claim that LeBron always gets the benefit of the doubt from referees came after the Los Angeles Lakers won against the Dubs to secure the 7th seed in the Western Conference.

According to some, the game’s officiating was dubious. In the last quarter, Juan Toscano-Anderson made contact with James, resulting in a charging foul against him. However, the Warriors contested the decision and were successful.

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Although Eisen’s son had called out the referees for giving partial treatment to LeBron James, Eisen himself was now taking a more gentle approach after seeing the barrage of criticism James was receiving for clout.

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