ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is continuing the autopsy of the Los Angeles Lakers season and is wondering if now is the time for the team to move on from LeBron James.
James’ attempt to will the Lakers into the Western Conference Finals without co-star Luka Doncic fell short in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Now, the question of James’ future in the Lakers organization comes to the forefront as his contract has expired.
Speaking on ‘First Take,’ Smith believes that now is the time for the two sides to part ways – in part, because James wasn’t truly appreciated by the Lakers, but also because the team may be tired of having him around.
‘Have the Lakers taken LeBron James for granted? Sure, you can make that argument, but let’s put it where the ghosts can get it, they don’t particularly like him,’ Smith told guest Kendrick Perkins on the show.
‘That’s what this is about more so than anything else. They’ll never admit that, you understand what I’m saying? I’m telling you, there’s denials all over the place just as I said that statement.’
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith (L) called out the tendency of LeBron James (R) to be a ‘manipulator’
Smith believes the Lakers are tired of dealing with James’ need to spin a narrative
Smith pointed to the Lakers’ ill-fated trade for one of James’ friends – Russell Westbrook – as an example of the NBA legend’s tendency to be a ‘manipulator’ when it comes to narratives.
‘When they made the trade for Russell Westbrook that ended up being disastrous, they felt like LeBron wasn’t accepting accountability. When there were narratives put out there that the organization was the issue and not LeBron James, they knew it wasn’t them putting that stuff out there.’
Smith continued: ‘As great as he is, LeBron James is on the Mount Rushmore of basketball, one of the greatest players to have ever lived. He’s also one of the greatest manipulator of narratives we’ve ever seen… there’s very few people on the planet Earth more skilled and more committed to controlling narratives than him.’
Smith went on at length about his point, even trying to analyze how the Lakers may have felt burned by James.
‘Mad respect to somebody like [James’ agent] Rich Paul who’s done a great job with Klutch Sports and all…we all know over the years, not recently, but over the years, how fixated they were on manipulating and dictating narratives. Well, the Lakers were on the brunt end of all of that,’ Smith explained.
‘The Lakers had to deal with that. And so what I’m saying is this: LeBron’s greatness is not to be questioned. LeBron’s commitment to excellence is not to be questioned. His contribution to the Lakers organization is not to be questioned. And certainly they should have an elevated level of appreciation because they didn’t choose LeBron James. They didn’t win LeBron James. LeBron James chose the Lakers.’
‘The Lakers had to deal with that. And so what I’m saying is this: LeBron’s greatness is not to be questioned. LeBron’s commitment to excellence is not to be questioned. His contribution to the Lakers organization is not to be questioned. And certainly they should have an elevated level of appreciation because they didn’t choose LeBron James. They didn’t win LeBron James. LeBron James chose the Lakers.’
James’ future with the Lakers is uncertain as he is set to hit free agency this summer
Smith added, ‘I know they want to make it look differently because they’re the Lakers franchise, and my goodness, you should feel privileged to come play for us.
‘I understand that, but in, in most instances, they’re absolutely right, but not when it comes to LeBron James. He chose the Lakers. He wanted to go to the Lakers. He made it very, very clear that’s what he was doing. There was no sweepstakes that they competed for where they won him. He chose them.
‘But it doesn’t negate the fact that along the way, because he is who he is and he’s fixated on controlling narratives, that he didn’t turn them off over the years.’
The 41-year-old James’ future remains uncertain as his contract has not been extended. He will become a free agent this summer.
