The Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Detroit Pistons game took an ugly turn. Although the Lakers finished with a win in their column, they might not enjoy the victory. After all, their leader and the best player on the team LeBron James was ejected in the middle of the game.
LeBron and Isaiah Stewart got into a heated scuffle. It started with James punching the Pistons’ center in the face. A few seconds later, Stewart’s face was all bloodies and he lost his temper.
Stewart would go on to try to escalate the fight over the next few minutes as he ran past the coaching staff and security. Following the altercation between the two, NBA analyst Skip Bayless gave his take on it on Twitter.
“The more I watch the replays, the more I see relief on the faces of the Lakers after Pistons players and coaches finally subdued Isaiah Stewart. No Laker player looked like he wanted any part of Stewart’s rage, starting with LeBron.”
The more I watch the replays, the more I see relief on the faces of the Lakers after Pistons players and coaches finally subdued Isaiah Stewart. No Laker player looked like he wanted any part of Stewart's rage, starting with LeBron.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 22, 2021
Well, in all honesty, Stewart could have gotten into it with LeBron a few minutes earlier as he had his chance to do it when the two were face-to-face. But as many fans pointed out, Isaiah only started to act like a raging bull once he was being held by his teammates.
More importantly, there was no reason to escalate the fight and only increase the number of games that the players involved in the fight would get suspended. Skip further talked about the incident between James and Stewart.
“Never seen anything remotely that dirty from LeBron James. It was the equivalent of hitting Stewart with his fist. Lotta blood. Just a shocking reaction by LeBron, who then spread his hands, moved toward Stewart like he didn’t mean it. Stewart wasn’t having it. Can’t blame him.”
Never seen anything remotely that dirty from LeBron James. It was the equivalent of hitting Stewart with his fist. Lotta blood. Just a shocking reaction by LeBron, who then spread his hands, moved toward Stewart like he didn't mean it. Stewart wasn't having it. Can't blame him.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 22, 2021
Considering that from certain angles the shot from LeBron looked intentional, it was quite surprising to see him react like that. LeBron is usually not someone who participates in such fights and it will most certainly cost him a few games of playing time. But will it hurt his legacy in the league? Well, Skip Bayless seems to believe that.
“The Elbow will not help LeBron James’ reputation or legacy.”
The Elbow will not help LeBron James' reputation or legacy.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 22, 2021
It’s pretty hard to see this scuffle having any impact on LeBron’s legacy as a whole. After all, things like this are part of the sport. Recently, when Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris were part of a fight, no one thought it would ruin their reputation or legacy. But in the case of LBJ, these theories always emerge.
