Sports

“You Didn’t Play, You Don’t Understand Athletic Morality”: JJ Redick Slams Stephen A. Smith Over LeBron James’ Retirement Discussion

JJ Redick dished it out at Stephen A. Smith when the duo focused on LeBron James’ thoughts of contemplating retirement after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept 4-0 by the Denver Nuggets in the WCF.

“It’s not just for a calculated reason. James is coming off year 20, age 38, a long playoff run where he has had to play a ton of minutes with an injury,” Redick said on First Take. “It’s just human nature that you would begin to say, ‘Maybe I’m nearing the end.’”

When Smith replied that he “doesn’t understand much of what JJ just said,” Redick retorted sharply. “Well, you didn’t play, Stephen A,” Redick said. “You don’t understand our athletic mortality. Three games at wherever South Dakota Winston-Salem State doesn’t count.”

Jeff Bezos Is Engaged to Lauren Sánchez

Credit to Smith, though, as he took Redick’s shade rather positively. “I got a degree and now I’m on TV with you, I must be doing something right,” he said. This was also followed by the former lending an apology.

After the Lakers bowed out of the Conference Finals, James shocked the world with a cryptic response regarding his future. This was the instant topic of debate across all media platforms and discussion forums. And a show like First Take, known for dishing out hot takes, wasn’t far behind.

Is LeBron James’ Retirement Response A Tactic To Land Kyrie Irving?

While one end of the NBA fanbase felt that it was overstrained James who uttered what he did, certain segments believed that it could’ve been a tactic by the forward to push the LA front office to land Kyrie Irving in the offseason.

“I’d bet on LeBron’s comments in part being a negotiation tactic: I’ll retire unless you go all-in next season. And the player James probably wants the Lakers to acquire is Kyrie Irving,” said NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor, earlier on Monday.

This is one argument that can be seriously considered, given that the guard has been linked to the side for some time now. Plus, he was in attendance for Game 4, and James wanted Irving on the team. So now that the Lakers’ campaign is over, maybe this was a push he gave the management.

Related Posts

สอบผ่านไหม ? เปิดผลงาน “อิชิอิ” คุมทีมชาติไทย หลังวันนี้เมื่อปีที่แล้วเข้ารับตำแหน่งทางการ

ส่องผลงาน อิชิอิ หลังเข้ารับตำแหน่งกุนซือทีมชาติไทยวันนี้เมื่อปีที่แล้ว วันที่ 22 พ.ย. 2567 วันนี้เมื่อปีที่แล้ว (22 พ.ย. 2023) “มาซาทาดะ อิชิอิ” รับหน้าที่กุนซือทีมชาติไทยอย่างเป็นทางการ จากวันนั้นถึงวันนี้ 14 เกมที่คุม ชนะ 5 เสมอ 6 แพ้ 3 1 ม.ค. 2024 แพ้ ญี่ปุ่น…

El cambio de Rafa Nadal desde sus primeras victorias a los 19 años

El tenista se ha retirado definitivamente del deporte profesional tras más de dos décadas de trayectoria. Ha sido el adiós de una auténtica leyenda del tenis. Rafa Nadal…

Ohtani creates history by winning the Dodgers World Series and receiving his third MVP award

Shohei Ohtani has made history once again by winning his third MVP Award, becoming the first full-time designated hitter to achieve this. He had an astounding season, joining…

Following house invasions by Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes linked to a “transnational crime ring,” the NFL delivers a serious warning to players

The NFL has warned its players to take precautions against a “transnational crime ring” that is suspected of orchestrating a number of break-ins of athletes’ homes including Patrick Mahomes…

Andy Farrell focused on ‘being the best we can be’, not statement win for Ireland

Andy Farrell doesn’t believe his Ireland team need a statement performance to show what they are really about. The Six Nations champions have underwhelmed since dismantling France last…

‘They Gone Hate Him for Loving His Wife’: Fans Rush to LeBron James’ Defense After Heartwarming Tribute to Wife Savannah Goes Left as Critics Bring Up Infidelity Rumors

Power forward LeBron James has been at the top of his game since he entered the NBA in 2003 as the #1 draft pick at the age of 18. Like…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *