Stephen A's Take: Lebron and Steph teammates! No way! Let me tell you why!

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Summary: "Stephen A's Take: Lebron and Steph teammates! No way! Let me tell you why!" Release Date: December 12, 2024

In this compelling episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the tantalizing yet controversial topic of whether NBA superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry should become teammates. With his trademark candor and insightful analysis, Smith explores the implications of such a pairing, the current state of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the broader impact on the NBA landscape.

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1. Introduction to the Main Topic

Timestamp: [01:05]

Stephen A. Smith opens the discussion by highlighting the allure of a potential LeBron James and Steph Curry collaboration on the court. He reminisces about their impressive performances during the Olympics, emphasizing their individual prowess:

Stephen A. Smith [03:02]: “LeBron James was the best player for Team USA from start to finish. And Steph Curry was clearly the best player for the semifinals and the finals when he hit 17 three-pointers in two games. It was absolutely sensational to see.”

He acknowledges the excitement fans have about witnessing two of basketball's greatest players joining forces but immediately introduces his reservations.

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2. The Current State of LeBron James and the Lakers

Timestamp: [01:05] - [03:02]

Smith provides a critical overview of the Lakers' recent performance under LeBron James' leadership. He points out that despite LeBron's individual excellence, the team has underperformed:

Stephen A. Smith [02:30]: “The Lakers are not going to do anything. The Lakers are not any good. You have AD and LeBron playing 90% of the games and they're a seventh and eighth seed at best in the West.”

He attributes part of the Lakers' struggles to strategic missteps, particularly the acquisition of Russell Westbrook, which Smith believes did not align with the team's needs.

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3. Criticism of LeBron's Role in Lakers' Performance

Timestamp: [03:02] - [07:14]

Transitioning from team performance to leadership, Smith critiques LeBron James' influence on the Lakers' management decisions. He questions why LeBron hasn't maneuvered the team differently to achieve better results:

Stephen A. Smith [04:15]: “LeBron got him [Russell Westbrook] there. Now, LeBron isn't responsible for every decision, every bad decision that has perplexed Laker fans all over the place. Rob Palinka owns that. ... But we can't ignore what role LeBron played in as well.”

Smith underscores that while general manager Rob Pelinka is chiefly responsible for roster decisions, LeBron's influence and choices have significantly impacted the team's trajectory. He suggests that LeBron should take more decisive action to build a competitive roster.

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4. Potential Move to Golden State: LeBron and Steph Curry Teammates

Timestamp: [07:14] - [10:38]

Smith entertainingly speculates on the feasibility and desirability of LeBron joining Steph Curry at the Golden State Warriors. He acknowledges the chemistry and complementary skill sets both players bring:

Stephen A. Smith [09:00]: “It would be nice to see LeBron James with Steph Curry. It would be nice to see one of the top three players in the history of basketball playing with unquestionably the greatest shooter God has ever created.”

However, Smith remains skeptical about whether such a move would be beneficial or even possible, considering the current state of the Lakers and LeBron's potential motivations. He questions whether LeBron deserves such an opportunity, given the existing issues in Los Angeles:

Stephen A. Smith [09:45]: “LeBron doesn't deserve it ... because of the mess that exists in L.A. And it's primarily because of him.”

Smith argues that instead of seeking a supernatural partnership to salvage his legacy, LeBron should focus on addressing and improving the Lakers' current shortcomings.

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5. Comparison with Michael Jordan's Career Stability

Timestamp: [07:14] - [10:38]

Drawing a stark contrast between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, Smith praises Jordan's loyalty and consistent performance with a single team:

Stephen A. Smith [09:30]: “Michael Jordan played and starred on one team in his hall of fame career. LeBron has been in Cleveland, Miami, back to Cleveland, then to LA.”

Smith points out that Michael Jordan remained with the Chicago Bulls throughout his career, fostering a stable and winning environment. In contrast, LeBron's multiple team changes are portrayed as a lack of commitment to building a lasting dynasty, further questioning LeBron's suitability for a potential move to Golden State.

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6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [10:38] - [10:38]

Wrapping up the episode, Smith reiterates his skepticism about the LeBron-Curry teammate scenario. He emphasizes that while the idea is fascinating, the underlying issues within the Lakers and LeBron's role in them make such a move unlikely and unearned:

Stephen A. Smith [10:30]: “Nah, if LA made these decisions all by themselves, that would be different. But you gonna get them to make decisions. They stink up to join and then you skip town. Nah, I ain't down for that.”

Smith closes by expressing his continued support for the NBA's evolving dynamics but remains critical of decisions that undermine team cohesion and long-term success.

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Notable Quotes:

• “LeBron doesn't deserve it.” – Stephen A. Smith [03:02]
• “Michael Jordan played and starred on one team in his hall of fame career.” – Stephen A. Smith [09:30]
• “Nah, I ain't down for that.” – Stephen A. Smith [10:30]

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Conclusion

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith offers a blend of admiration and critique, celebrating the individual talents of LeBron James and Steph Curry while scrutinizing the strategic and leadership decisions surrounding them. His analysis provides listeners with a thought-provoking perspective on team dynamics, player influence, and the broader implications of potential superstar collaborations in the NBA.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week, we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Let's get to the NBA, please, where LeBron James is playing in his 22nd season and is about to turn 40 in just a few weeks. The Lakers Superstar already has four rings, but my friend and colleague Mike Wilbon from ESPN thinks he's got the perfect place for LeBron to end his career. Take a listen. Is Golden State just one player away, though, from doing that?

[Dan Orlovsky]

Yeah.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Yeah, the player plays right across the street, around the corner right here. LeBron James. Let's cut to the chase with this. All those assets are great. If Steph and Draymond were 31 and 32 years old, you could sort of wait on them. And I love Kaminga, but they're not 31 and 32 years old. The warriors, you. You said it, Malika. You're talking about maximizing now. Tonight. They're not catching Oklahoma City. They're not catching. As Perk was talking some sense of me on PTI two days ago. They're not catching Dallas. They're not with the personnel they have currently assembled, I'm not sure they can catch those two teams with the person. I'm saying add either. But if you tell me if anybody watched the Olympics, Brian Windhorse this summer and you saw LeBron James and Steph Curry play together, how can you not want to see that? I'm not saying it's easy. Wendy will tell us how possible if it is at all. But you tell me at this point, the Lakers stink. All right, let's just. The Lakers are not going to do anything. The Lakers are not any good. You have AD and LeBron playing 90% of the games and they're a seventh and eighth seed at best in the West. Is LeBron going to ride out another season like that? Why would he? Why does he need to? If LeBron James decides he wants to contend this season, you know what Wilt once did? He lived. Not once he lived in LA, but he played in Philly. So, LeBron, how fast is it? How long take a G6 to get from San Francisco? You'd probably know a G6? 27. You can't play in San Francisco and live in Los Angeles if you want to. This is tailor made for those two guys to play together and finish their careers.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, no disagreement there. It would be nice to see LeBron James with Steph Curry. It would be nice to see one of the top three players in the history of basketball playing with unquestionably the greatest shooter God has ever created. And it was nice to see them during the Olympics. LeBron James was the best player for Team USA from start to finish. And Steph Curry was clearly the best player for the semifinals and the finals when he hit 17 three pointers in two games. It was absolutely sensational to see. I get all of that. But allow me to say this. LeBron doesn't deserve it. Now, I know that's sacrilegious to say I don't give a damn. I'm going to call it like I see it. He doesn't deserve it because of the mess that exists in L. A. And it's primarily because of him. Now, when you look at LeBron James, clearly I'm not talking about his game because it's due to still all world approaching 40. It's phenomenal to watch. But they won a chip during the bubble. They had Kyle Kuzma, they had Alex Caruso. They had a Kentavious, Caldwell Pope. They had those cats, okay? And you traded a few of them along with a pick to get yourself Russell Westbrook. Now, not the Russell Westbrook we saw with the Clippers, not the Russell Westbrook we're seeing with the Denver Nuggets. I'm talking about the worst version of Russell Westbrook that ever existed was when he was wearing a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. He was better in Houston. He was damn sure better in Oklahoma City. Those are the two places where he was a Hall of Famer. Clearly, we look at him with the Clippers and the Denver Nuggets. And we know there's still a role for him in the NBA, but as a Los Angeles Laker, we won't repeat what they were calling him. I was just at a Lakers game against the Denver Nuggets and even them with him in a Nugget uniform where he helped slay the Lakers that night, by the way, they were begging for him to shoot. I'm talking about the crowd. Because that's how bad it was for Russell Westbrook when he was a Los Angeles Laker. Why Was he there? LeBron got him there. LeBron got him there. Now, LeBron isn't responsible for every decision, every bad decision that has perplexed Laker fans all over the place. Rob Palinka owns that. I understand that Shavino, you know, bringing along Austin Reaves and this clear fetish with him and all of this, I got that. But we can't ignore what role LeBron played in as well. Because when you just want to chip and then you come off of that and you get to the playoffs, even though you lost in the first round to the Phoenix Suns, the fact of the matter is you didn't have to just throw everything aside. You needed additional bodies for additional mobility so you can acquire the assets needed in order for him to continue to compete. And that's not what happened. Then let's take, let's not forget Darvin Ham. Darvin Ham, in his first year as the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, got them to the guided them to the Western Conference finals where they got swept by the Denver Nuggets. The following year they lose in five games to the Denver Nuggets. But what precipitated that LeBron James and folks hinting that Darvin Ham needed to go thereafter, starting a podcast with JJ Redick and ultimately JJ Redick becoming the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. I don't want to hear shit about LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers offering the job to Danny Hurley. When you offered them the job at 11 million PER, it was still about six or seven coaches that were going to be paid. Not more than a two time national champion who would be giving up everything to come and coach the Lakers. If you wanted him bad enough, you could have made a better offer. So since you didn't make the better offer, that means you didn't want him bad enough? Is it possible that you didn't want him bad enough because you really wanted JJ Redick all along and you just wanted to create and Manipulate a narrative where that's not what it is or that's not how it looked. And I'm not throwing any shade on jj. I'm rooting for the brother, used to work with me at espn. I'm not rooting against him. I'm not rooting against him at all. And it ain't his fault for taking the job, Dan.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Right?

[Stephen A. Smith]

He should have took the job. It ain't his fault for having a podcast with LeBron James, Dan.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He should have had a podcast with LeBron James. If I had a basketball podcast, who would I want more than LeBron James? I got it. But in the end, you're LeBron James and you want to walk around like you the modern day basketball version of Gandhi, acting like you had nothing to do with it. All the things that happened. We were born at night, not last night. Course you had something to do with this. So why should you get to leave to go join Steph Curry in Golden State? Why should you do that? Oh, by the way, just as an aside to end this all, I know people like Rich Paul want to swear up and down and nobody gives a damn about the goat conversation. That's a damn lie. Ignore Chris Rich Paul's ass on that one. I love my man Rich Paul. Very proud of him and klutch sports and what he's done with clutch sports, but that is nonsense. Yeah, people care about that goat conversation. And young whippersnappers with their breath smelling like Similac wet behind the ears don't know a damn thing about Michael Jordan. Well, let me tell you something. Michael Jordan got drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick in 1984. He retired as a Chicago Bull in 1998. And the only reason why he went to Washington, the nation's capital, was because he was trying to become an owner. And the owner at the time, Abe Poland, insisted that he be a participant on the basketball court. Somewhat like the New York Knicks should have insisted about Phil Jackson being the head coach of the Knicks instead of allowing him to be the president of basketball operations. See, Washington was smarter. They said, Michael Jordan, get your ass on the court. And that's what he did. But be very, very, very, very clear, Michael Jordan wasn't all over the place. Michael Jordan played and starred on one team in his hall of fame career. LeBron been in Cleveland, Miami, back to Cleveland, then to LA. Okay, won the championship. D. Wade Bosh, Pat Riley, Ray Allen won the title again, same crew of dudes. Then after that, goes back to Cleveland, you got Kyrie and Kevin Love and then you go to LA and you get ad. Yes, Scottie Pippen is an all world player, but Scottie Pippen was groomed and nurtured and elevated by the presence, the push and the constant tutelage of Michael Jordan. LeBron James had some finished products. Just thought I'd throw that out there in case y'all in. So, yeah, it would be great for basketball to see him with Steph Curry. It would be very entertaining. And Draymond Green, let's not forget that, because even with LeBron and Steph, you ain't winning without Draymond Green. Yes, that's true. It would be great to see. But does he deserve it with LA looking the way that they looking? Nah, if LA made these decisions all by their lonesome, that would be different. But you gonna get them to make decisions. They stink up to join and then you skip town. Nah, I ain't down for that. I ain't down for that.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're gonna be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs Mock Drafts top 101 free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julius Rippinks here, along with former NHL.

[Nate Thompson]

Player Nate Thompson, we're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.