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LeBron James might be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith believes he could beat the LA Lakers icon one-on-one, if given a 99-point head start.
The scenario was presented to Smith during an episode of ESPN's First Take. A viewer asked the opinionated host whether he could beat James in a one-against-one race to 100 points if he only had to score once.
James is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time MVP and the highest scorer in the league's history. Many consider the 39-year-old to be in the running with Michael Jordan to be considered the greatest-ever NBA player.
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Yet Smith fancies his chances to make one match-winning shot against the former Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers star.
"Oh, I'm winning that one," Smith said confidently.
In typical Smith style, he doubled down on his opinion in the following day's episode, despite disagreement from his fellow panelists.
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"Let’s not be ridiculous,” he said. “This ain’t no damn first pitch, OK? This ain’t something like that. This is me shooting the rock. It’s what I can do. Now, let me be very, very clear: I said it and I meant it.”
Smith's colleague, ESPN basketball analyst Tim Legler, outlined one potential route to the outspoken reporter getting a shot against James from which he'd be able to score.
“The caveat would have to be that when LeBron checks the ball to you, he has to throw it to you where he’s at the foul line,” Legler said. “So you have a chance to get one off as he’s running out.
“But if he’s handing you the ball — the way I know one-on-one to be played — and he hands it to you and he’s up in your space… Honestly, man, I love you. I don’t know how you’re going to get a clean shot off.”
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Refusing to back down in his steadfast belief in his own basketball shooting skills, Smith issued one final response on the matter.
"Whatever,” he said. “Y’all are on drugs!”
Topics: NBA, Basketball, Lebron James, LA Lakers, Stephen A Smith
Ryan Baldi