“I don’t have any expectations” — LeBron James’ recent statement must’ve left the fans divided. There’ll be some who’ll understand that the LA Lakers have just made some changes and need times to adapt with it. Then there’ll be some who’ll just want to their team win, especially after the disastrous recent seasons. Appearing on ESPN’s first take, while Iman Shumpert sided with the former kind, Stephen A. Smith is among the latter ones.

As most Laker fans would know, Bron recently stated it’s unfair for anyone to put expectations on the Lakers as of now. “The only thing that we can count on each other is how we come to practice and come to work every day,” he added. Reacting to this on the First Take, Shumpert mentioned the 4x NBA champ probably wants to make an assessment of his team and figure out how he can motivate them.

This goes without saying that the Lakers have undergone a major change with JJ Redick as their new coach. And the team is set to witness even greater changes under him. Redick already highlighted in his past media interactions that Anthony Davis will be the key to his plans with the Lakers. And Bron is most likely to evolve into an off-the-ball role.

Understanding these changes and having played with Bron, Shumpert seemed to agree with his POV on the ground that James doesn’t set expectations on anything unless he has got the same team. “… Which he does not. They’ve added some pieces… his son… They’ve added a new coach. So I’m excited. I know everybody else is excited, but I think it’s pretty fair what he said,” Iman said on the show.

Well, it may seem pretty fair to Shumpert, but Stephen A. Smith could not disagree more with James. He praised Iman first and highlighted his close bond with him. But then called out the ex-NBA star’s diplomatic approach to Bron’s statement. Smith, however, agreed he has no issue with the 4x NBA champ to take his time to assess his team. But then what issue does the ESPN analyst have, you ask?

Well, he does not want to hear that they got a new coach. The argument behind this is the assumption that James himself had involvement in the Hiring of Redick. Something that was a popular opinion when JJ first declared his interest in the team because the two players had already been running a podcast together. So everything else aside, Stephen A. Smith highlighted what the Lakers fans likely feel in this moment.

“This is the Lakers. It’s the Lakers. What do you mean, ain’t no expectations? Let me tell you something. How you think Laker Nation feel about that? They wanna to hear that?” Smith said. The 56-year-old emphasized this can no longer be a scenario where James can just do his part of the job and be like “if we don’t do something, we don’t do something.” He believes both James and Davis are great enough to make things happen for the team.

What to expect from LeBron James’ take and Stephen A. Smith’s response?

The Lakers did struggle to even find a spot in the playoffs last season. And then made it through the play-in tournament only to almost be clean swept by the Nuggets in the first round. And that too after suffering an actual clean sweep at the hands of Nuggets a season before that in conference semifinals. Moreover, the common perception says that changes are made for better and not to make an excuse out of it. Replacing Darvin Ham with JJ Redick is exactly the same situation.

Some may even question that if the Philadelphia 76ers making changes to their roster and then the New York Knicks doing the same can make the two teams more hopeful of their run this season, then why would Lakers go for such changes that have made the leader be afraid of expectations.

However, for all we know, the Lakers could actually emerge surprisingly well in the coming days. “He’s smart as hell,” says LeBron of JJ Redick who brought in Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks for the coaching staff — a move that even had former Lakers coach Byron Scott, rather distasteful towards Redick’s hiring, have a change of heart. Some positives, a bit of scrutiny, only patience is the answer for spectators. 

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.