Stephen A. Smith is never shy about speaking his mind, but his latest revelation about Michael Jordan confronting him over his reporting has fans buzzing. On the Gil’s Arena podcast, Smith recalled a moment when Jordan was furious with him over his coverage of the game, leading to an intense exchange where Smith made it clear that he wasn’t going to be a mouthpiece for the NBA legend.
“I was sitting courtside. I was a beat writer for years. For over a decade, I’m at over 120 games a year. I’m in the club afterward, I’m on the streets afterward.”
“Come on, the access, the information that I have, and the s**t that I could have said—yet all I’m talking about is the game. The game. And so when cats get sensitive and get mad about that, I’m like, well, I remember when Jordan got mad at me one time. Last point—Jordan got mad at me one time.”
“And I literally looked at Michael Jordan and said, ‘You know what? F**k it, $250,000.’ He said, ‘What?’ I said, ‘Because you want me to be your publicist. You don’t want me to be a journalist. You don’t want me to be somebody covering the damn league. You want me to say what you want me to say.”
“Can I do my job?’ It’s like, I’m covering the game. I’m covering the game. Now, if y’all don’t know the difference, and when a cat crosses the line, shit, y’all would check him in a heartbeat—and you should, and you should.”
“But if it’s confined to the game, can we deal with the game and what was said, as opposed to, ‘Nah, I don’t like that motherf***er’?”
Despite keeping his reporting within the boundaries of basketball, Smith recalled a time when Jordan was upset with him. The exchange highlights a long-standing truth about Jordan’s relationship with the media.
He was widely known for controlling narratives, and his influence often extended to referees, coaches, and even journalists. While Jordan is revered as the greatest player of all time, his relationship with the press wasn’t always smooth—especially when reporters didn’t echo his preferred narrative.
Interestingly, Smith’s clash with Jordan comes just days after his heated interaction with LeBron James at a recent Lakers game. Reports surfaced that LeBron confronted Smith over comments he made regarding Bronny James’ NBA potential. Smith later confirmed that the exchange was about Bronny and dismissed it as “weak and bulls**t.”
The situation intensified when Draymond Green defended LeBron, stating that Smith had crossed a line by questioning LeBron’s abilities as a father. This led to a social media firestorm, as fans debated whether Smith’s criticisms of Bronny were purely basketball-related or personal.
Despite his long-held belief that Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time, Smith has recently adjusted his stance on the never-ending GOAT debate. On First Take, he acknowledged that while Jordan’s peak dominance is unmatched, LeBron James has solidified himself as the GOAT of longevity.
LeBron’s 50,000 combined career points (regular season + playoffs) further separate him, making him the first player in history to hit that milestone. His ability to adapt and thrive in different eras, from dominant slasher to elite shooter, makes his case unique.
Smith’s stories about both Jordan and LeBron reveal a fascinating contrast between two of the greatest players in NBA history. Jordan’s iron grip on his public image meant he wasn’t afraid to check journalists when they strayed from his preferred narrative. Meanwhile, LeBron has faced more criticism and scrutiny throughout his career, largely because he plays in the age of 24/7 social media coverage.
Despite their differences, both Jordan and LeBron command a level of respect that few athletes ever achieve. Whether it’s Jordan trying to control the media or LeBron confronting Smith over his son’s future, their influence extends far beyond the basketball court.
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