MOLLY QERIM and Stephen A. Smith argued over LeBron James’ recent absence as it didn’t “set the right precedent”.
LeBron, who turns 40 next month and is approaching retirement, was away from the Los Angeles Lakers for just over a week, missing two games – with JJ Redick’s team going 1-1.
The decision to take time off caused huge headlines, especially as the star’s reason for missing games was listed as “personal reasons”, leading to wild speculation in the media.
But LeBron found a supporter in the shape of Stephen A. Smith, who said he is entitled to take a break given his age and body of work
On First Take, Stepen A. said: “LeBron James… this is the biggest non-story… I mean the Oscar goes to.
“God fobid he took time off, stop the presses.
“LeBron James is approaching 40, he’s earned it. If he wants to take a week off then so what. So what.
“The only reason the story was interesting is because it said ‘personal reasons’”
Molly Qerim then said: “How else do you put it, do you just say LeBron’s going to take a break?”
To which Stephen A. replied “Yes. He can do that.
Molly then added that James was setting a bad precedent to his younger teammates, adding: “You can’t come out and say that, it doesn’t set the right precedent.”
Stephen A. said: “If LeBron James says ‘I need a break’ nobody would say a damn thing, because it’s LeBron James.”
Host Molly Qerim then interrupted her co-star and said she’s “not going to miss First Take and say I need a break.”
To which Smith added: “LeBron can get as much time off as he wants – during the regular season.
“Because at this point in time we don’t give a damn about him October through April.
“We want to see April, May – I’m not saying June because they aint getting there – but that’s what it is.”
LeBron replied to the video on social media with a crown emoji.
James returned to the NBA as the Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night and revealed what he had been doing during his time away.
He said: “If it was up to just me, I probably would’ve played.
“It would’ve been hard to keep me away from it. I have a team and I got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest.”
LeBron, who scored 18 points in the win, added: “I had an opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body and everything where I wanted it to be for tonight.
“And it worked out.”
“[I did] a lot of rehabbing, a lot of training still to make sure that I was ready to go tonight.
“Didn’t want to get too much out of shape.”
