JJ Redick apologized to Stephen A. Smith instantly after calling out the latter for his lack of athletic experience when discussing LeBron James’ retirement.
“It’s not just for a calculated reason. James is coming off year 20, age 38, a long playoff run where he has had to play a ton of minutes with an injury,” Redick said on First Take. “It’s just human nature that you would begin to say, ‘Maybe I’m nearing the end.’”
When Smith replied that he “doesn’t understand much of what JJ just said,” Redick retorted sharply. “Well, you didn’t play, Stephen A,” Redick said. “You don’t understand our athletic mortality. Three games at wherever South Dakota Winston-Salem State doesn’t count.”
But he responded soon after saying that Smith’s words got to him, and he meant no disrespect to either Winston-Salem State or Smith.
Redick later offered up an apology to Stephen A for his earlier comments.
Is this friction intended, healthy, and all in the game. Or are these two genuinely starting to wear on each other? pic.twitter.com/WtTRQh9KJr
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 23, 2023
This isn’t the first time both have taken shots at each other, with Redick often calling out Smith by bringing in his athletic experience. But for now, there seems to be no bad blood after the apology, and First Take will continue to dish out hot takes.
Will LeBron James Retire?
At this stage, it’s highly unlikely that James will call time on his decorated career. Some felt he played the retirement card to force the front office to land Kyrie Irving.
“I’d bet on LeBron’s comments in part being a negotiation tactic: I’ll retire unless you go all-in next season. And the player James probably wants the Lakers to acquire is Kyrie Irving,” said NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor earlier on Monday.
Whether that’s the ploy or not, no one can be certain. But given his hunger to win and his desire to play with his son Bronny in the NBA, a James retirement is not going to happen anytime soon.
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