Sometimes you may wonder whether peace will ever be an option between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James.

As of now, things don’t look like it, maybe when the Akron Hammer retires, the ESPN veteran will soften. Currently, even Bron’s breathing in the league seems to turn into an eyesore for Smith. That might be a harsh take, but sadly (or not) it is true. And ever since LeBron spoke out loud about the media and the negativity in the NBA, SAS just cannot stop his angry ranting.

Meanwhile, the GOAT debate never dies—Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James? For Stephen A., it’s not even close. In his eyes, LeBron, even at 40, can’t touch Jordan or the Black Mamba. But Channing Frye sees it differently. On Sunday’s Road Trippin’ podcast, LeBron’s ex-teammate called the endless comparisons “propaganda.” According to him, “nostalgia is killing the NBA.” After all, MJ walked away for two years, and Kobe once quit on his team during the playoffs. Yet, somehow, LeBron remains the one under the microscope.

Frye’s angry ranting and the chaos around LeBron James has once again triggered the ESPN veteran. But this time, he isn’t alone. SAS has found an ally in veteran commentator Michael Wilbon.

ESPN veterans lash out at LeBron James after ex-Cavs stars Michael Jordan rant

ESPN’s commentator, Michael Wilbon had plenty to say about Channing Frye’s defense of LeBron James. While he found Frye’s rant “insightful,” he didn’t hold back his disagreement. For Wilbon, LeBron isn’t immune to criticism. “We live in a world that is largely negative,” he said, adding that the All-Time Top Scorer knows how to “use and manipulate social media.” But that power cuts both ways. If you wear the crown, you can’t expect everyone to serve you. Criticism comes with the territory.

Wilbon didn’t stop there. He questioned whether LeBron James’ frustration is really about the endless comparisons to Michael Jordan. If so, his message was clear—“too damn bad.” The attention, the spotlight—that’s the price of fame. “It doesn’t come from fannies in seats,” he said. It comes from viewership, from people watching and talking. And as Wilbon bluntly put it, “We’re not on your payroll. We’re not there just to praise you.”

Magic Johnson Joins Lakers Nation to Celebrate Lebron James’ Epic Milestone

Thus on the Stephen A. Smith Show, the host said: “Do I need to say anymore? Do I need to say any damn more? He said it right there for you. We’re not on LeBron James’ payroll, but guess what—we damn sure helped elevate his payroll.” isn’t just a basketball icon—he’s built a $1.2 billion empire. But as Wilbon pointed out, SAS walked on the same path and noted that fortune didn’t grow on its own. The media’s constant attention and public debate have played a major role in elevating his “payroll.” However, Smith never denies the fact that LeBron is one of the greatest players in the league. But to constantly talk about him, adds to his 10-figure empire.

via Imago

“By talking about him so much, praising him, recognizing him, and popularizing him, it’s facilitated him making money…We didn’t train for him, we didn’t provide his nutrition, we weren’t the ones in the weight room like he was—taking care of his body, spending more than a million and a half dollars a year on his health,” SAS added. “But in the end, by talking about him, by prioritizing him with our coverage, we’ve assisted in that.”

Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back on LeBron James further. Mocking the idea that any criticism equals “hating,” he fired back, “God forbid you have the audacity, the unmitigated gall” to suggest someone might be better than LeBron. According to Smith, the real conversation isn’t endless praise—it’s calling LeBron “too sensitive,” which he did without hesitation. And in his words, “It’s true.”

But amidst all the backlash, Bron is also experiencing relentless support from Stephen A. Smith’s colleague, Shannon Sharpe. Without mentioning SAS once in his conversation, the NFL legend turned into a protector for the Los Angeles Lakers icon.

Shannon Sharpe goes all-defensive for LeBron James

In his recent episode of The Night Cap podcast with Chad Johnson aka Ocho, Shannon Sharpe had to take his moment to defend LeBron James from all the heat. The 56YO put James in rare company—right next to Muhammad Ali. “Nobody in the history of sports, (except Muhammad Ali)…has ever caught the vitriol that this man did,” he said. However, no matter what LeBron does, it’s never enough. “The man scores 50,” but critics still say, “Kobe would have got 70. Jordan would have got 80.” Even a 50-point triple-double isn’t safe from comparison.

Defending LeBron James against Stephen A. Smith’s harsh criticism, he called out the double standards. “A lot of these teams were in the league when Kobe played,” yet Kobe retired at 37. And Jordan? “Do y’all remember what Jordan looked like in Washington?” For Sharpe, the message is clear—if they weren’t judged for falling short late in their careers, why should LeBron be? There were odd talks that LeBron James had come to LA to become Michael B. Jordan. Yet, he’s been All-NBA, won a title and took home Finals MVP. Still, no credit.

via Imago

So, the LeBron James debate rages on. Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon say criticism comes with the crown, especially when the media helped build his $1.2 billion empire. Meanwhile, Shannon Sharpe calls out the double standards, asking why LeBron faces harsher scrutiny than Jordan or Kobe. One thing is clear—when you’re this great, the world never stops talking.