Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been making waves with his new Mind the Game podcast with JJ Redick. In their most recent episode, one of LeBron’s statements that has taken a life of its own pertains to his comments about his time with the Miami Heat.
ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith didn’t really like what the Lakers talisman had to say, particularly about his first season in South Beach, and this has prompted a blatant call-out from the outspoken sports anchor.
Los Angeles Lakers News: LeBron James Opens Up About Miami Heat Stint
LeBron took the basketball world by absolute storm when he moved to South Beach in 2013 to form a Big 3 with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat, however, failed to win a championship in their first season after Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to an upset win in the 2014 NBA Finals.
James spoke openly about that heartbreak as he revealed why he believes Miami failed to live up to the lofty expectations everyone had of them in Year 1:
“My first year in Miami, yeah, we had a Big 3,” James said (h/t Jesse Cinquini of Heat Nation). “And everyone said it’s a superteam, superteam this, superteam that. But we had to build our team around all minimum guys, which was still okay. But we didn’t fill out the complementary guys enough. Yeah, we had Rio (Mario Chalmers). We had Udonis [Haslem]. But we didn’t have enough as far as — enough complementary guys to actually make it all work. And we still made it to the Finals. We still made it to the Finals, and we still probably should have won the Finals.
“But I still give credit. Listen, it is what it is. You win or you lose, and we lost. It’s no — Dallas was f—— good. And they hit a stride at the right time. Dirk [Nowitzki] was unbelievable. But my second year, we was able to grab some complementary players and role players that really just — I’m talking about superstars in their roles.”
Stephen A. Smith Refutes LeBron’s Big 3 Claim
Stephen A caught wind of LeBron’s comments, and he did not like it one bit. So much so, that the renowned sports analyst came out with an unfiltered tirade aimed at the NBA’s all-time leading scorer:
“LeBron James, that is some straight bulls—,” Smith said. “You got to be kidding me. I know that you didn’t just say that with the cameras rolling. That’s bulls—. Somebody gotta say it, so I’m gon’ say it.
“… That roster that LeBron James is alluding to, he makes valid points,” Smith said. “He’s not wrong about the roster. My point is what the hell does that have to do with you, LeBron? What does that have to do with you? Now why would Stephen A. ask such a question, albeit rhetorically? Here’s why. Ladies and gentlemen, if you remember, in 2011, LeBron James and the Miami Heat — with that roster — were up 2-1 on the Dallas Mavericks before losing three straight.”
Needless to say, Smith does not agree with James’ take on his shortcomings in Miami.
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