“LeBron James should care about the LaMelo Ball comments”: Stephen A Smith and Max Kellerman make much ado out of nothing about Hornets vs Lakers faceoff

Stephen A Smith says that LaMelo Ball’s comments before facing the Lakers should faze LeBron James a little bit, because of disrespect.

LaMelo has shown all the characteristics of a star in the making through his half season in the league. He’s been bright, a sparkling, energetic player for the Hornets whenever he takes the floor. The team looks all the better for it.

But even an MVP-caliber player like Luka Doncic has been star-struck by The King before playing him. So what caused LaMelo to assume this tone of bravado while talking about facing LeBron James for the first time ever?

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Back in Michael Jordan’s heyday, you could bet your house that no rookie would ever make this sort of comment. They’d know that MJ would’ve taken it as a slight and upped the ante against them.

Stephen A Smith thinks LeBron James should take LaMelo’s comments personally

That was exactly what Stephen A was alluding to, when he talked about what LeBron’s reaction to Melo’s comments should be:

“A little bit. And what I mean by that is, you know you’re The King, right? So there’s a level of deference and respect that’s earned. You’ve been to the finals 10 times, you’ve won 4 championships, 4 MVPs. Clearly aiming for and looking for your 5th.”

Why LeBron should care about LaMelo’s comments. pic.twitter.com/RKaOBCDPXl

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 18, 2021

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“And this young buck just coming into the league is just like ‘Playing you is playing anybody else’. Now, I don’t think for one second that LaMelo meant any disrespect. We know who Pops is (referring to LaVar Ball).”

Stephen A also heaped the praise on LaMelo as a great prospect and an NBA-ready rookie. Like everyone else, Smith knows that Melo is a lock for Rookie of the Year honors, and he stated as much in today’s show:

“Michael Jordan has the Rookie of the Year. LaMelo Ball will win Rookie of the Year.”