Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless reunited on ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday, quickly getting into a heated argument over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The longtime television rivals debated whether the Lakers are better off without James, who now plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.
“Isn’t that obvious to you?” Bayless asked when Smith raised the question.
“No!” Smith responded.
Bayless argued that Luka Doncic had grown frustrated with sharing the spotlight with James as the veteran superstar entered his 40s.
“I believe that Luka Doncic got sick and tired of having to share the stage with a LeBron James who couldn’t live up to being LeBron James anymore, as he hit 40 years of old,” Bayless said.
“Oh my god,” Smith responded while covering his face.
Bayless also praised Doncic for improving his conditioning and defense, suggesting that the Lakers are better positioned to build around him.
“Now the stage has been cleared of a LeBron James who, I’ve gotta say this, his LA tenure was completely overrated,” Bayless added.
Smith disagreed with Bayless’ assessment, bringing back the familiar arguments that defined their years together on ESPN.
The two worked together on “First Take” for four years before Bayless departed for Fox Sports in 2016.
