The NBA debate regarding Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James has been a hot topic for a long time, to the point it’s become a staple on sports media. For years, talking heads such as Stephen A. Smith have leaned into the comparison, which is an irresistible topic for many fans.
As a result, Smith’s relationship with James has somewhat been shaped by the fact that Smith says Jordan was a better player than James. To wit, the ESPN personality recently told a story on Paul George’s podcast about an interaction he had with James’s agent and close friend, Rich Paul, about the subject.
“I got him as the second-best player in the history of basketball. I got him ahead of Kareem. I got him behind nobody but Jordan,” Smith said. “I said to Mr. Chirper himself, Rich Paul, ‘You act like that’s an insult.’ This dude [says], ‘It is an insult.’ I said, ‘Get the f— out of my face.’”
Smith went on to explain that he couldn’t take Paul seriously for acting like the opinion was insulting.
“When you’re going to treat me like I’m disrespecting, by calling him, in the history of a game that started in 1947, disrespecting a man by having him No. 2 all time, you have lost your damn mind,” Smith said. “I’m not talking to you.”
Through his career as a personality, Smith has never been afraid to share his opinions with his audience and athletes themselves. This story is just another example of Smith doing things by his own accord.
