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Reading: Stephen A. Smith Disagrees With Julius Erving’s All-Time Top 10 Players List
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Stephen A. Smith Disagrees With Julius Erving’s All-Time Top 10 Players List

Stephen A. Smith Disagrees With Julius Erving’s All-Time Top 10 Players List

Stephen A. Smith opined that no all-time Top 10 list could omit LeBron James.

Aaron Abhishek
Jul 31, 2023
4 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

  • Stephen A. Smith did not agree with Julius Erving’s all-time Top 10 list
  • Julius Erving shared his top 10 of all-time list, which didn’t include players like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant
  • Tiny Archibald was the more shocking inclusion in Dr. J’s list leading to a furor on social media

Stephen A. Smith strongly disagreed with former NBA legend Julius Erving’s All-time Top 10 list.

Speaking on First Take, the NBA analyst said there could not be a Top 10 list of all-time without LeBron James in it.

“Well, he didn’t choose any active players. Listen, this is Dr. J, Julius Erving and he’s entitled to his opinion. You cannot have an all-time top 10 list and LeBron James is out.”

He further added:

“I got LeBron James as a top-two players of all time. What do you mean he’s not on the list? And Steph [Curry] is not on the list? Steph has been in the league for over a decade. LeBron James has been in the league for 20 years. He played more years than most of the players Dr. J had on his list.”

.@stephenasmith reacts to Dr. J's top 10 NBA players of all-time 👀

"You cannot have an all-time top 10 list and LeBron James is out." pic.twitter.com/U7CtoZT0uU

— First Take (@FirstTake) July 31, 2023

Earlier, the Sixers legend courted controversy when he named a list and left out some big names. 

Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, and Nathaniel Archibald were on the list, but there was no James, Curry, or even Kobe Bryant for that matter.

This list is clearly due to Erving having played and watched basketball in an era most of us weren’t even born, but that said, he’s also entitled to his opinion.


LeBron James Has Been In The GOAT Conversation For Years Now

No top 10 list in recent times by both former players and analysts alike, omits LeBron James. The 38-year-old is still a force in the league and is all set to play for the Los Angeles Lakers in what will be his 21st season in the NBA.

He’s also been in the GOAT conversation and is constantly compared to Michael Jordan. Some players have even picked him as the greatest. Here’s what Gilbert Arenas had to say earlier:

“When you say he’s not a better scorer than Jordan… but he’s first… If Jordan was a scorer first and LeBron is the passer first, and the passer first has more points than the scorer first… Just let it go… LeBron is not a natural scorer. That’s what makes it worse. The non-scoring mind is leading the most selfish stats… If Jordan had Kareem’s scoring record, If Jordan has John Stockton’s assist record, if Jordan had Bill Russell’s rings, I get it. But Jordan is not No. 1 in any of the categories.”

Dr. J’s list may have been controversial, but he’s had a say, even if fans don’t like it.

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TAGGED:Julius Erving (Dr. J)LeBron JamesStephen A. Smith
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ByAaron Abhishek
Aaron Abhishek is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He graduated from St. Joseph's College with a Bachelor's in Visual Communication and a Master's in journalism.His passion for the sport began when he saw Michael Jordan take his final shot in the NBA, and he considers himself fortunate to have been a part of the Kobe Bryant era. Now he writes basketball news and analysis while waiting for the Los Angeles Lakers to win their 18th title.When not watching and writing basketball, you can find Aaron suited to play cricket, putting in some hard yards at the gym, trying a new coffee, and supporting Arsenal. Expertise: NBAFavorite Team: Los Angeles LakersPrevious Work: MEAWW, Blue Man Hoop, Sportskeeda
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