Stephen A. Smith aimed at LeBron James’ apparent insecurity over being compared to previous NBA eras after the four-time NBA champion gave a questionable take on the Pat McAfee show.

While talking to the renowned sports show host, the pair discussed the differences between today’s NBA and the generations that preceded it.

Speaking about the 70s, James shied away from talking about himself. However, he used his contemporary Giannis Antetokounmpo to make his point.

‘You trying to tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play an NBA game in the 70s?’ James asked rhetorically. ‘Giannis would have 250 points in a game in the 70s.’

The remark did not go unnoticed, as Smith and Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo gave their thoughts on Wednesday morning’s First Take. 

‘Here’s the problem with what LeBron James did, it’s still disrespectful to the previous eras,’ Smith claimed. ‘And there’s no call for it. And so when he does what he does on that level, that’s him pᴀssive aggressively — yet again — finding a way to take sH๏τs because inherently he has a problem with himself being prepared to dudes from previous eras.’

Stephen A. Smith on LeBron’s comments: “It’s still disrespectful to the previous eras. And there’s no call for it. And so when he does what he does on that level, that’s him pᴀssive aggressively — yet again — finding a way to take sH๏τs because inherently he has a problem with… pic.twitter.com/cEMLVIpU6v

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 26, 2025

Stephen A. Smith blasted LeBron James’ take on Giannis Antetokounmpo playing in the 70s

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‘Because previous folks talk about him, they talk about what he would have been. For example, he’s not my GOAT, he’s Shannon’s GOAT. He might be yours or somebody else’s, he’s not mine.’

‘The road to prosperity that he had to travel, I believe going up against the old guard like Jordan and them, they would have stopped him before he learned how to win,’ Smith continued.

‘If you gotta go up against a killer like Michael Jordan, and others who would try to snatch your heart right out of your chest, somebody like Jordan would have impeded his path.’

‘Nobody was gonna impede Kobe [Bryant], nobody’s gonna impede MJ, nobody gonna impede [Tim] Duncan and people like that. But him, I believe he would have been impeded.’

Russo also called the take ‘ridiculous’ and alluded to how NBA great Julius Erving struggled to score 50 points against Bill Walton’s Portland Trailblazers.

‘Has he heard of Julius Erving? Giannis is not as good as Julius Erving,’ Mad Dog claimed. ‘He’s not in the same ballpark. Julius Erving’s a top 12 player in the history of the NBA.

Lebron:”You trying to tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play an NBA game in the 70s? Giannis would have 250 points in a game in the 70s.” 😂😂😂😂(h/t @ohnohedidnt24) pic.twitter.com/UjcpcsukH5

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 26, 2025

James claimed that the Milwaukee Bucks poster boy would score 250 points if he played then 

‘Giannis is not in that scenario. So that bothers me when you bring up the 70s, my Era!’

The comments came in the back of Smith and James’ bitter fallout after the Lakers star confronted the ESPN personality during a game over his criticism of LeBron’s son, Bronny James.

Smith has addressed the incident on several occasions and continues to provide honest criticism of James across his programs.