Stephen A. APOLOGIZES to LeBron James 'He was SENSATIONAL!' in win over Clippers | First Take

ESPN

29 Feb 202408:50

Summary

TLDRThe script revolves around Stephen A. Smith's acknowledgment that he owes LeBron James an apology. Smith had previously boasted about the Clippers defeating the Lakers, but was left in awe by LeBron's spectacular performance, outscoring the Clippers 19-6 in the fourth quarter and leading the Lakers' comeback from a 21-point deficit. Smith praises LeBron's greatness, longevity, and clutch gene, stating that such performances have been a hallmark of his illustrious career. He also expresses concern over the Clippers' inability to protect the ball and withstand the Lakers' onslaught, despite having a substantial lead.

Takeaways

😮 Stephen A. Smith acknowledges that he owes LeBron James an apology for his previous comments about the Clippers 'busting' the Lakers, as LeBron had a sensational performance against the Clippers.
🔥 LeBron James, at 39 years old in his 21st season, put on a spectacular performance against the Clippers, overcoming a 21-point deficit and outscoring the Clippers 19-6 in the fourth quarter.
🤯 LeBron's ability to take over games and lead comebacks like this is something he has been doing for decades, and this extreme example against the Clippers is a classic LeBron James performance.
📈 LeBron is having the best three-point shooting season of his career at age 39, which makes the spread pick-and-roll even more dangerous for opponents.
⚠️ The Clippers' inability to protect the basketball and their lack of cohesion in the face of the Lakers' onslaught is alarming and a potential concern for their championship aspirations.
❓ Kawhi Leonard's absence and inability to provide an answer to LeBron's dominance raises questions about the Clippers' ability to handle such situations.
🥷 Stephen A. acknowledges that the Clippers likely would have fared better with Paul George on the court, as he could have helped stem the bleeding.
💪 LeBron's defensive efforts, including guarding Kawhi Leonard on the last possession, showcase his all-around brilliance and commitment at this stage of his career.
🏆 The Lakers' ability to secure favorable matchups in the playoffs could make them a dangerous opponent in the Western Conference, despite their inconsistent regular season performance.
🔮 The matchups in the Western Conference playoffs will be crucial in determining potential upsets and Cinderella runs, making predictions and bracket selections extremely difficult.

Q & A

Why does Stephen A. Smith owe LeBron James an apology?
-Stephen A. Smith apologizes to LeBron James because he initially said the Clippers were going to "bust their ass" against the Lakers, but LeBron had a sensational performance, leading the Lakers to a comeback victory after trailing by 21 points.
How did LeBron James perform in the fourth quarter against the Clippers?
-LeBron James was spectacular in the fourth quarter. He outscored the Clippers 19-6 by himself, assisted or scored on 11 of the Lakers' 13 baskets in the period, and led the Lakers' comeback from a 21-point deficit.
What impact did LeBron's performance have on Stephen A. Smith's opinion?
-LeBron's greatness was so sublime and spectacular that Stephen A. Smith had to stand down and pay homage to LeBron on national television, acknowledging his incredible performance despite initially doubting the Lakers.
How does Stephen A. Smith compare LeBron James' performance to other great players?
-While Stephen A. Smith is an ardent Michael Jordan fan, he admits that there is no getting around LeBron's greatness. He mentions that LeBron has been putting up these types of performances for decades, similar to what other greats like Kobe Bryant did.
What concerns does Stephen A. Smith have about the Clippers' collapse?
-Stephen A. Smith is concerned about the Clippers' inability to protect the basketball, being turnover-prone, and not having an answer for the Lakers' onslaught. He finds it alarming that they couldn't hold onto a 21-point lead and looked sloppy and shook.
What role did Kawhi Leonard play in the Clippers' collapse?
-Stephen A. Smith was worried that Kawhi Leonard, who was supposed to be the "Kryptonite" to LeBron's greatness, was nowhere to be found in terms of providing an answer to stop the Lakers' comeback.
How does Stephen A. Smith view the Lakers' chances in the playoffs?
-Stephen A. Smith believes that the Lakers could be dangerous in the playoffs due to favorable matchups, especially if they face teams that can't handle their size. The Western Conference playoffs will be matchup-dependent, and the Lakers have shown they can compete against top teams like the Clippers.
What does Stephen A. Smith say about LeBron's three-point shooting this season?
-Stephen A. Smith mentions that LeBron is having the best three-point shooting season of his career at age 39, shooting over 41% from beyond the arc, which makes it riskier for opposing teams to leave him open.
How does Stephen A. Smith compare LeBron's performance to his past?
-Stephen A. Smith says that LeBron could have had this kind of game in 2005, 2009, 2013, or 2018, as he has been putting up similar performances for decades, leading fourth-quarter comebacks and outscoring the opposition.
What strategy did the Lakers employ in the fourth quarter with LeBron James?
-According to Stephen A. Smith, a dozen coaches have used the "spread pick and roll" strategy when in trouble in the fourth quarter with LeBron. They move out the shooters and pray that LeBron gets hot attacking teams in the pick and roll, which is what happened in this game.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 LeBron's Stunning Performance and Apology

The speaker expresses regret for previously doubting LeBron James and the Lakers, admitting he owes LeBron an apology after witnessing his sensational performance against the Clippers. Despite being 39 years old and in his 21st season, LeBron was spectacular, drilling threes and leading the Lakers' comeback from a 21-point deficit. The speaker highlights LeBron's impressive stat line, outscoring the Clippers 19-6 in the fourth quarter alone, and his ability to take over games at crucial moments, comparing him to legendary players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and his former teammates. The speaker acknowledges LeBron's sustained greatness over decades and pays homage to his sublime display.

05:01

🔴 Clippers' Concerning Collapse and Lack of Answer

The conversation shifts to discussing the Clippers' concerning collapse against the Lakers, where they squandered a 21-point lead. The speaker expresses alarm at the Clippers' inability to protect the basketball, committing numerous turnovers and appearing sloppy and shaken. While acknowledging that LeBron's hot shooting contributed to the Lakers' comeback, the speaker argues that the Clippers' lack of poise and cohesion, even with the addition of a point guard, is more alarming. Particularly concerning was Kawhi Leonard's absence in providing an answer to LeBron's onslaught, despite being touted as a potential 'Kryptonite' to LeBron's greatness. The speaker views this collapse as a potential red flag for the Clippers' championship aspirations, as an inability to maintain composure in crucial moments could prove costly in the postseason.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Apology

An apology, in this context, refers to a formal expression of regret or remorse for a statement or action previously made. The speaker acknowledges their error in underestimating LeBron James' performance and impact, particularly in a recent game, and expresses a sincere apology for their past statements doubting his capabilities. This acknowledgment comes after witnessing James' exceptional play, highlighting the importance of accountability in public discourse.

💡LeBron James

LeBron James is a professional basketball player mentioned extensively throughout the script, celebrated for his outstanding performance in a specific game. The narrative emphasizes James' skill and impact on the court, especially in crucial moments, underscoring his athleticism and strategic play. His performance prompts a public apology from the speaker, showcasing James' continued relevance and dominance in basketball, even in his 21st season at 39 years old.

💡Greatness

Greatness in this script is attributed to LeBron James, reflecting his exceptional skill, dedication, and impact in the realm of professional basketball. The term encapsulates his ability to perform at a high level consistently, his influence on the game's outcome, and his role as a pivotal figure in sports. James' performance, leading to a comeback victory and his individual scoring achievements, exemplifies this greatness.

💡Three-point shooting

Three-point shooting is highlighted as a significant aspect of LeBron James' performance in the discussed game. This skill involves successfully scoring baskets from beyond the three-point line, a valuable and challenging feat in basketball. James' proficiency in this area during the fourth quarter of the game is emphasized as a key factor in his team's success and his personal achievement, showcasing his versatility and skill.

💡21st season

The 21st season refers to LeBron James' current tenure in the NBA, marking a long and successful career. This duration underscores his sustained excellence and physical fitness, allowing him to compete at a high level against much younger players. His performance, particularly in this season, is used to argue against any doubts of his continuing ability and influence in the game.

💡Clippers

The Clippers, a professional basketball team, are mentioned as the opponents in the game that prompted the speaker's apology to LeBron James. The narrative discusses the expectations for the Clippers to perform well against James' team, the Lakers, and their eventual failure to do so. This context sets the stage for James' commendable performance and the subsequent acknowledgment of his greatness.

💡Fourth quarter

The fourth quarter in basketball is the final period of the game, often crucial for determining the outcome. LeBron James' performance during this time, including his scoring and leadership, is specifically praised. His ability to dominate this critical part of the game and lead his team to overcome a deficit is highlighted as a testament to his skill and impact.

💡Turnovers

Turnovers refer to the loss of possession of the ball without a shot being taken, often due to errors or defensive pressure. The script mentions turnovers by the Clippers as a significant factor in their loss, contrasting with James' performance. This comparison emphasizes the importance of maintaining possession and making strategic plays, areas where James excelled.

💡MJ (Michael Jordan)

Michael Jordan, referred to as MJ, is mentioned as a standard of excellence in basketball, with which LeBron James' performance is compared. Despite the speaker's admiration for Jordan, they acknowledge James' exceptional abilities and contributions to the game, suggesting a level of greatness that merits respect and recognition comparable to Jordan's legacy.

💡Playoffs

The playoffs are a postseason tournament to determine the league's champion, mentioned in the context of the Lakers' potential performance and matchups. The discussion reflects on how LeBron James' leadership and skill could make the Lakers a dangerous team in the playoffs, highlighting the importance of matchups and the team's ability to overcome challenges with James at the helm.

Highlights

Stephen A. Smith acknowledges that he owes LeBron James an apology for doubting him against the Clippers.

Smith admits that he thought the Clippers would "bust [the Lakers'] ass" because Paul George was out, but LeBron was sensational in the 4th quarter.

LeBron assisted on 11 of the Lakers' 13 baskets in the 4th quarter and outscored the Clippers 19-6 by himself in that period.

Smith compares LeBron's performance to his prime years, saying he could have had a game like this in any season from 2005 to 2018.

This was a classic LeBron game of hot 3-point shooting and spread pick-and-roll, which coaches often use to get him going in the 4th quarter.

LeBron is having the best 3-point shooting season of his career at age 39, making it riskier for teams to leave him open.

The Lakers could be dangerous in the playoffs if they get favorable matchups, as they did last year against teams that couldn't handle their size.

The Clippers' inability to protect the ball and stop LeBron's onslaught is concerning and could cost them in the playoffs.

Smith expected more from Kawhi Leonard in terms of providing an answer to LeBron's dominance.

LeBron was also busting it on the defensive end, including guarding Kawhi on the last possession.

Smith and his co-host will be courtside for the Lakers vs. Nuggets game, considered a big matchup.

The co-host jokes about not wanting to watch players who perform like him and needing to see better players.