JJ Redick called Stephen A. Smith out on First Take for saying LeBron James has ‘never been feared’ by NBA players

JJ Redick recently retired from the NBA, but obviously, he knows a thing or two about the game and the league after living in it for 15 years.

One of the things you’d assume he’d have a pretty good pulse on is how NBA players actually feel about LeBron James. After all, he’s played against him for his entire NBA career.

That’s why when Stephen A. Smith tried to say NBA players around the league don’t “fear” LeBron James on First Take, Redick was not having it.

The two were discussing the Isaiah Stewart-LeBron dust-up during the show. Smith made the point that this incident goes to show how NBA players feel about James and that they don’t fear him. Otherwise, Stewart wouldn’t charge at him like this.

"In my estimation, from the people that I've spoken to covering the league, [LeBron] has never been feared. … With LeBron, you believe you can take him. You believe he can be had."

—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/F4Xd28Z8Zd

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 23, 2021

Redick absolutely was not having it. He called Smith out, saying he doesn’t know if he actually believes what he’s saying.

JJ Reddick just told @stephenasmith, "I dont know if you actually believe what you are saying!" Then SAS tried to say, when you watch the game.. JJ said, No, I played the game, Im telling you that you are wrong"

They gonna get rid of him like Max Kellerman. #FirstTake pic.twitter.com/0wydLfKPVQ

— HGIC (@HGIC_) November 23, 2021

“I don’t know whether to believe that you believe what you’re saying. That’s crazy. That’s crazy…When has there been a situation, if you’re talking physical confrontation…Nobody has ever challenged LeBron.” 

Smith went on to say that nobody actually could challenge LeBron because of how physical he is, but he said that also wasn’t the point he was making, which was apparently that players don’t “fear” LeBron James like they did Michael Jordan.

Basically, he was saying no one would run up on Jordan like Stewart just ran up on James. And, again, Redick wasn’t having it.

Lool, Stephen A just tried to lie that if #FirstTake was around during Michael Jordan era they wouldn't cover MJ gambling in Atlantic City before the playoffs. 😂😂😂😂 #LeBronJames #MJ pic.twitter.com/QurJrmsazU

— HGIC (@HGIC_) November 23, 2021

“You’re comparing two different things. To say that his peers don’t fear him — that opposing coaches don’t fear him. You think people want to go into a playoff sereis against LeBron?”

Redick just wouldn’t let it slide. And he’s got a point. NBA players and coaches absolutely fear LeBron James. He’s one of the greatest players of all-time on the court.

Is James fighting anyone? No, absolutely not. But this is basketball – not boxing. That’s not even something actually worth talking about. That’s why Redick pushed back so hard here.

NBA fans were happy he was pushing back so hard against this.

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