“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?

Also Read: “LeBron James is going to start making big-money movies”: How Bill Simmons’ predictions about the Lakers star in 2005 turned out to be true

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.”

Also Read: “Kevin Hart once pi**ed off Michael Jordan at a charity event”: Comedian tells hilarious story of how he irritated the Bulls legend

“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.”