Stephen A. Smith’s half-hearted apology to LeBron James did little to cool the fire. The controversy still burns, and the battle lines are drawn. Whenever two giants lock horns, the spectators are divided in their support. Fortunately for Bron, members of his own NBA community have his back. Moreover, Matt Barnes, despite his media ties, fully supports Bron in this controversy. However, he has his reasons based not just on his opinion but on Kobe Bryant’s experience with the media.

Barnes posted an Instagram video discussing the LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith controversy. He pointed out that in his 20 years in the league, LeBron has been under constant scrutiny. “And he finally came out, and it was just unfiltered… I played against Braun a long time, and I don’t know that side of him,” he said.

It’s evident that the media has often been unkind to King James. LeBron’s been criticized for leaving Cleveland, for chasing rings in Miami, for bringing a title to LA. And now, for simply being a father. No wonder Barnes wanted to see this side of LeBron. “After 22 years of someone who’s always just took in the high road, he [LeBron] was tired of it and let off a clip,” Matt said. What changed this time?

But this time, it hit differently. It wasn’t about basketball alone, it was about LeBron’s son. For those unaware, Stephen A. has repeatedly stated on his shows that while Bronny James has potential, he isn’t NBA-ready yet. But the criticism didn’t stop there. Smith also accused LeBron of feeding his own ego by pushing his son into the league before he was ready, implying that James’ influence played a role in Bronny’s NBA trajectory.

Criticizing Bronny is one thing, but accusing LeBron of using his influence was a major escalation. But to Stephen’s credit, a major section of the media has been running with the same narrative. Barnes believes LeBron’s clash with Stephen A. wasn’t just about one analyst, it was a shot at the entire media industry.

“Obviously, Stephen A. is the person that caught it. But it was really at all of the media because you can’t lie. People make careers off dog. And dude, Skip Bayless comes to mind,” Barnes said. To further prove his point about the media, Barnes played an old clip of his interview with Kobe Bryant.

“Was there ever anything that you remember that was said about you that really kind of stung and hurt?” Barnes had asked during the interview. Black Mamba’s response? Something that brings the harsh side of media to light. “All of it does,” Kobe had replied.

“Egomaniacal athlete” “LeBron James hijacked ESPN“: A look back at “The Decision”

LeBron, like his contemporaries in other sporting spheres of the world, is no stranger to media criticism. While the press spotlight is bright, it can turn harsh in a moment. The 40-year-old Lakers star knows all too well.

In 2010, he attended an interview conducted by ESPN. LeBron televised his move to the Miami Heat after 7 memorable years with the Cavaliers. The video was simply titled, “The Decision”

Leonard Shapiro of the Washington Post reacted, “The most troubling aspect of the whole ill-conceived mess was ESPN’s willingness to hand over an hour of primetime television to an egomaniacal athlete the network should be covering as a news story.”His contemporary at the Houston Chronicle, David Barron added, “LeBron James hijacked ESPN, selling the network on an hourlong glorified infomercial.” 

Soon, ‘The Decision’ became a cultural punchline. Amateur YouTube skits mocked it, and even Steve Carell parodied it at the ESPYs. Despite the ruthless criticism, “The Decision” became the third most-watched cable television program that year, according to Nielsen. More than 10 million viewers tuned in to see where the then-25-year-old would ply his trade. So, what’s the takeaway here?

From “The Decision” to today, LeBron James has been under a relentless microscope. Critics have called him everything – selfish, egotistical, manipulative – yet he continues to rise above it. Naturally, he will protect his son from facing similar scrutiny. Matt Barnes gets it. Kobe got it. And maybe, just maybe, this moment will serve as a wake-up call to the media world to adjust its approach before the next generational talent steps into the same trap.