Ice Cube took time to discuss the ongoing feud between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith while sitting down with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. As a father himself, the legendary rapper understands why James reacted the way he did when Smith criticized his parenting skills by starting off a rant of his with “As a father”.
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But Ice Cube also understands that it’s Stephen A. Smith’s job to critique players. LeBron knows that, but he believed the longtime sports analyst crossed a line by publicizing their heated interaction. So, despite the ongoing tensions between the pair, the 55-year-old believes both LBJ and Stephen A. are doing what they’re supposed to.
Given that Cube has been in the public light for over 3 decades now, he knows better than anyone what it’s like to constantly be critiqued. He’s certainly gotten a handle on to deal with constant chatter on his name and in doing so, has been able to comprehend what it’s like on the other side of that chatter as well.
“Sometimes you need to be heard, you need to listen; and sometimes you need to have an answer back,” Ice Cube explained. “And that’s fine. You know, two people don’t have to agree all the time… At the end of the day, everybody is privy to their opinion.”
Ice Cube understands LeBron’s frustration and protective nature, but as someone who has a son who has paved his own path in the entertainment industry, Cube knows he can’t save him from criticism. He feels LeBron should have the same outlook for his son.
“I can’t protect [O’Shea Jackson Jr.] from his critics,” Ice Cube said of his son. “You know he can only do what he need to do. I’m not here to protect him from his critics… People who are paid to critique his performances, that’s what they’re paid to do, you know what I mean?”
Cube has allowed his son to bear the weight of being his son, similar to what LeBron is doing for Bronny. Insults rooted in ‘unfair nepotism’ will always fly across O’Shea’s screen. It’s how he deals with this that will define how his career pans out.
The public discussion between LeBron and Smith has been a main talking point for many over the past week. Now, not only has a notorious rapper in Ice Cube acknowledged the feud, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver has, as well.
Adam Silver discussed the LeBron-Stephen A. feud
The commissioner made his thoughts clear on the situation clear. While he didn’t explicitly take a side in the feud, he did acknowledge its entertainment value. “I saw some of the headlines that came out of it. I mean it is fascinating,” Silver said when asked by a reporter at a news conference.
“It seems to be more celebratory often than it is in the NBA, and I accept it,” Silver said. “We’re often the beneficiary, too. There’s seemingly as much social media interest in this league at times in all the other leagues combined. So, it’s a two-edged sword.”
Silver doesn’t have strong feelings about either side of the debate. The longtime commissioner’s main priority has always been the league’s attention and revenue. Considering this debacle has spread far outside the basketball world, the feud is no problem in Silver’s eyes.
