LeBron James takes aim at NBA media in blistering rant after Stephen A. Smith’s ‘Face of the League’ criticism

LeBron James has blasted the NBA media for how it covers the league, with Stephen A. Smith criticizing the living legend’s comments, after Anthony Edwards said he did not have an interest in being the face of the league. 

During All-Star Weekend, Edwards passed the buck to Victor Wembanyama to be the face of the NBA, denying he was the guy to hold that mantle. 

James, who faced off against Edwards on Thursday night and was surely a former face of the NBA, sounded off on why he did not mind Edwards not wanting to be associated with the title. 

‘I mean, it’s unfortunate but like, why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s**t on everybody?’ James said. ‘To have that responsibility, it’s just weird. It’s weird energy.’

Smith took James at his word when he said ‘all the people’, which included himself, as well as several other groups of individuals. 

On Friday morning, Smith went on a long rant about James comments, which he called ‘BS’. 

‘First of all, there’s a whole bunch of players that cover the league. They’re former players,’ Smith said. ‘They’re not just reporters, they’re former players. Former big-time players, former Hall of Fame players, they talk about the league too. Is everything negative?’

‘When he talks about people covering the league, we know he’s talking about me… and he’s not just talking about people like me, he talked about Inside the NBA.’

Smith appeared to take personal offense to James’ indirect diss of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson.  

Some believed Smith’s rant on ESPN proved James’ point, with the Lakers star taking to social media to double down on his position. 

‘Exactly made my point but anyways. Happy this convo has started. It ain’t about “face of the game” and it ain’t about one person or one show, it’s about the culture of basketball, the most beautiful game in the world,’ James said on X. 

‘Our game has never been better. Incredible young stars from all over the world and some older ones. Steph Curry should be all we are talking about today. Let’s discuss how great OKC and The Cavs have been this season with 2 completely different styles and break down why and how they have. Of course if players don’t perform we need to discuss that too and break that down.’

‘Even that can be discussed in a way that’s not to bring finality to that players game but to leave room to see how that player responds and let’s watch the journey of that player.’

‘This ain’t about me either. At this point I don’t really care what’s said about me it’s always something. This is about the impact the negativity is having on our beautiful game and our fans. I know I speak for a lot of players and more importantly, a helluva lot of great fans that truly love and celebrate this sport around the world.’