A shambolic start for the Los Angeles Lakers continues as they dropped their fourth consecutive game against the Denver Nuggets. Still winless, their persistent shooting problems might be their biggest enemy. However, after their opening clash against the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James made it clear that the purple and gold aren’t a shooting team. The impact of his comments was felt most by teammate Russell Westbrook. His name came up first to the media as he is currently one of the league’s worst three-point shooters.

Likewise, with each game, the questions about his fit within the organizations keep flooding in. However, ‘King James’ seems to be on his guard. After a humbling loss against the Portland Trail Blazers, the 18-time All-Star said the media are trying to get a statement out of him regarding his former MVP teammate.

One way of seeing it might be that LeBron James refuses to throw his brother under the bus. However, renowned ESPN analyst, Stephen. A Smith ripped into the Akron Hammer, blaming him for the media’s approach.

Stephen. A. Smith rips into LeBron James

While addressing the Lakers with Kendrick Perkins, as a media personality, Smith did not take James’ comments lightly. He stared him right down and criticized his post-game comments against the Trail Blazers. Notably, the 55-year-old said the criticism around Westbrook was James’ own undoing when he made comments about the Los Angeles Lakers being a non-shooting team.

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He said: “LeBron James you are a brilliant brother, brilliant basketball player, brilliant mind. But don’t think you’re that damn smart, that you get to navigate this. Talking about we, the media setting you up to get at Russell Westbrook, Nah my brother, you did that.” 

It might not be James’ intention, but Smith’s viewpoint is sure to get fans talking. With Brodie’s disappointing start, the numbers were all against him. Currently, he is shooting just 8% from beyond the arc. Moreover, last season, he had several upsetting highlights which undoubtedly factor into the eyes of the media and fans. Hence, the moment LeBron James made those comments, all eyes in the room had to go toward Westbrook.

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While he might not have realized it, James’ comments could have played a major role in the media’s approach. And after every bad game Russell Westbrook has, the media attention seemingly gets more intense.

Do you agree with Stephen. A. Smith’s take? Let us know your views in the comments below.