ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith recently went on a rant against The Ringer’s list of top-25 current NBA players. The list included a range of familiar current stars in the top 10. However, the biggest and most obvious problem that Smith had was that LeBron James was only ranked 12. Furthermore, he also had an issue with other stars such as Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard being in the top-10.
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Stephen A. Smith has never been shy of airing his opinions on everything related to basketball. He generally calls out things that he does not agree with, and the Ringer’s list had multiple issues. Apart from Butler and Leonard, Stephen A. Smith also had an issue with Ja Morant only being ranked 18th on the list.
Stephen A. Smith goes on a rant against The Ringer’s list of top-25 players
The most obvious issue with the ranking was that LeBron James was not part of the top 10. Smith believes that he still deserves to be among the top-5 players in the NBA, despite his advanced years.
While he didn’t have any issue with the top-5, he thought the list lost the plot from there. Kawhi Leonard’s 8th position was questioned simply because of his injury issues. Smith also believes that Butler does not deserve to be ranked over the likes of Devin Booker and Anthony Davis:
“The Ringer comes out with top-25 NBA players. I saw the list. Jokis is number no problem, Steph Curry number 2 no problem. Giannis Antetokounmpo at number 3 no problem. I have a problem at number 8 Kawhi Leonard because goddamnit isn’t showing up to work a requirement? Number 9 Jummy Butler. Ahead of Devin Booker, ahead of Anthony Davis? No I can’t do that. Ahead of LeBron James. LeBron [has] got to be in your top-5. Damian Lillard ahead of Jimmy Butler? Ja Morant 18? There is not 18 players in the NBA better than Ja Morant, come on ya-all.”
While Smith was not talking about Leonard’s abilities, he had an issue with his consistent injury troubles. At his best, Kawhi Leonard is easily one of the best two-way players in the NBA. James on the other hand, is an obvious GOAT candidate and also deserves to be ranked much higher.
Stephen Smith had claimed LeBron James deserves to be in the GOAT conversation
While James does not have the Finals record that Michael Jordan boasted of, there are plenty of reasons why he also has a claim to the GOAT status. James’ stats prove that he is a better playmaker and team player.
He has been delivering at the biggest stage for almost two decades and has not shown any signs of stopping anytime soon. He is also the NBA’s leading scorer of all time, and arguably plays in a more competitive era.
Regardless, Smith had claimed during the NBA Playoffs that the LeBron-MJ GOAT conversation would resurface if the Lakers won another championship. The Lakers had delivered an impressive turnaround which saw them make their way to the Eastern Conference Finals. They eventually lost to champions Denver Nuggets, although it was clear that Smith holds LeBron in the highest regard.
