“LeBron James, if you’re the G.O.A.T, you’ve got to prove it in games like this!”: Stephen A. Smith lambasts Lakers star after Suns eliminate defending champions 4-2 on the back of Devin Booker’s 47 points

With the Lakers facing a possible first-round elimination against the Suns, Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron’s G.O.A.T argument is certainly on the line.  

Long time ESPN analyst and co-host of the first take, Stephen A. Smith believes that LeBron’s supposed G.O.A.T status is on the line as the Lakers face possible elimination in the very first round of the playoffs.  

King James is widely accepted as the most prolific player of this generation to grace a basketball court. However, that hasn’t been enough for his gargantuan fan base which has time and again attempted at handing him the seemingly unattainable G.O.A.T status over six-time NBA Champion, Michael Jordan.   

or all of you who argue LEBRON is the GOAT, tonight is one of those games he NEEDS to win. @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/xA5lnA48wI

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 3, 2021

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“LeBron James, if you’re the G.O.A.T, you’ve got to prove it in games like this!”- Stephen A. Smith

Unfortunately, LeBron James has been trolled a long time for wilting in high-pressure situations and presenting us with lacklustre effort and overall disappointing performances time and again.

The earliest example of the same is during his first tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 5 of the eastern conference semifinals (2010) against the Celtics.

Another prime example would be his performance in Game 4 of the 2011 NBA finals as a superstar for the Miami Heat where Lebron seemed to display a lack of engagement and tenacity, qualities we never saw lacking in the truly great, Michael Jordan. 

For once it seems like Stephen A. Smith might be right about something. There is no doubt regarding LeBron’s sensational career and his being the best player of this generation. However, the consistent inability to stay engaged and digging deep in games that matter do separate him from Michael Jordan.   

Tonight does seem like one of the last opportunities for a 36-year-old LeBron to bring himself back in the conversation in some people’s mind. As mentioned by Stephen A. he needs to take over this game or at least go down swinging with or without Anthony Davis.    

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After a humiliating loss with a 30 point deficit in the first half of Game 5 against the Suns, King James needs to make a statement in game 6 to stay somewhat relevant in any G.O.A.T discussion at all.