STEPHEN A. Smith recently opened up about his relationship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Smith joined The OGs Show, a basketball show hosted by former NBA players Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller.
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“LeBron, I don’t have the best relationship with LeBron James,” Smith said.
“I don’t mind that I don’t have the best relationship with LeBron James, but I know he’s great.
“I want him to get an ownership stake in the new Las Vegas franchise if the NBA decides to do an expansion franchise. I want all of that.”
Smith explained that he didn’t like criticizing James’ performance in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
The First Take presenter, 56, said it bothered him how James took criticism.
“If you give him big props for what he’s accomplished, he’ll take it all in,” Smith said.
“The moment you criticize him, (it’s), ‘Well, you know, I’m just trying to help the kids and I’m just trying to do what’s right for the community.
“And it pissed me off because it was a clever way to divert attention from the basketball element and make it something other than basketball, which is what we were talking about.”
Fans weighed in on X about Smith’s relationship with James.
“Just say you don’t like him because he doesn’t give you access, man,” one fan wrote.
“Bro showing exactly why he doesn’t have the best relationship with Bron Lmfao,” replied a second.
“Keeps begging for boys’ attention,” commented a third.
“Why is the SAS always hating Lebron? [laughing emoji]” said a fourth.
“Nobody cares,” said a fifth fan.
Smith was highly critical of James after he decided to join the Miami Heat in 2010.
Stephen A. Smith’s journey through the media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and executive producer of First Take, having initially started working for the company in 2003.
Smith has held numerous roles at the network, including radio show host, contributions to SportsCenter and appearance on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
He started as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Prior to that, Smith worked as a reporter at the Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News and the New York Daily News.
The Miami Heat were the perennial favorites to win the NBA championship after pairing James with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
Miami fell short, but lost to the Mavericks in six games.
After the loss, James said the Heat didn’t have enough talent to win the title, but Smith didn’t take the statement lightly.
“LeBron James, this sucks. You’ve got to be kidding me,” Smith raged.
“I know you didn’t say that with the cameras rolling, it’s a shit thing someone has to say.
“You didn’t lose to the Mavericks because of your squad, you lost because of you.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
