Kenny Smith: ‘I think LeBron James ends his career as a Laker’

Adam Schefter: 49ers first-round pick Ricky Pearsall was shot today in San Francisco, as @DionLimTV reported. THEY LIED: i really just wanna stay at home 🤦🏽‍ LeBron James: Facts bro!! Home, work and back home! Prayers to Ricky Pearshall! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 -via Twitter @KingJames / September 1, 2024

For many, Jordan’s impact on basketball, from a global marketing standpoint, is unparalleled. Couple that distinction, including the Air Jordan sneaker brand and many value that as MJ being goated in the GOAT conversation. Be that as it may, Ty Lue respects LeBron’s work ethic “I think every single day LeBron was the first person in the gym and was the last person to leave, putting his work in,” said Lue. “I saw it for four years in Cleveland — when we land or we get in around 2 o’clock in the morning, he’s still up at 6:30 in the morning doing his activation and all that stuff; just the work that he puts into his body and every single day the hard work on the court. There are very similar comparisons.” -via ScoopB.com / August 31, 2024

LeBron James: CAITLIN CLARK!!!!! HI HATERS -via x.com / August 31, 2024

Your championships were sandwiched between two Michael Jordan three-peats. Do you think those Rockets teams have gotten their proper due for what they accomplished? Kenny Smith: You can’t erase history. I don’t know if you get proper due, but you can’t erase history. Everyone always says, “Well, Michael was out.” No, he wasn’t — he was wearing No. 45 (in 1995). And everyone is saying, “Oh, he was rusty.” No one was saying he was rusty when he had 55 points at Madison Square Garden that same year. He had 55 points against the Knicks, who were arguably the best defensive team in basketball at that time. No, he was Michael Jordan. (The Bulls) just weren’t as good a basketball team. The team they lost to, the Orlando Magic, we swept. I never look at it as getting respect. You can’t erase history. And we’re here to stay. He did play that year, so there was only one year he wasn’t there. He did play (during the second title run). He was there, and we just didn’t get an opportunity to meet them. -via Houston Chronicle / August 14, 2024

How surprised are you that TNT couldn’t reach a deal to keep the NBA after such a long relationship with the league? Kenny Smith: I don’t know if I’m surprised. I just think that the art of negotiation — you look at what Adam Silver has done for the NBA (during) his tenure socially, financially and the recognition, they were going to explore the best opportunities. It’s unfortunate that it’s not clean. But honestly — and I say this without any hesitation — I think this is the most unique opportunity for the four of us to create an opportunity, if we collectively move together, or stay together, to have ownership in the property and to make sure the people who helped us be this successful are still with us. That would be the first time in television history. -via Houston Chronicle / August 14, 2024

With TNT suing the NBA, is there any thought to how awkward this coming season could be for you guys on the air? Kenny Smith: No, because we do our jobs. Our job is to talk (about) the game and give insight and also give you insight about what’s going on behind the scenes with TNT. Like, “Hey, we’re not happy.” That’s part of what makes us different. I don’t think any other network would allow or want their talent to talk about things like that. We’re going to do it, no matter what happens. But again, we’ve had a great run. If it continues, it’ll be great. But also, there are massive opportunities for the four of us — again, to create ownership opportunities to make sure our directors, producers, makeup, stats and audio people are still part of one of the greatest shows in sports TV history. -via Houston Chronicle / August 14, 2024