LeBron James Gets Called Out By Basketball Coach For Acting Like An ‘AAU Parent’ Following Stephen A. Smith Altercation

LeBron James Gets Called Out By Basketball Coach For Acting Like An 'AAU Parent' Following Stephen A. Smith Altercation - NewsBreak

LeBron James found himself in the middle of controversy again, this time after a heated exchange with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith during the Lakers’ overtime win against the New York Knicks. The incident, which played out courtside, caught the attention of Wisconsin-Green Bay men’s basketball coach Doug Gottlieb, who did not hold back in his assessment of James’ behavior.

Doug Gottlieb criticized James for confronting Smith over his comments about Bronny James, LeBron’s son, calling it an example of “AAU parent” behavior. “There is no world in which a dad, who single-handedly makes it so that his son is on an NBA team that he plays on, can accost the biggest name in sports about the analysis of his son,” Gottlieb said.

Heated Exchange Sparks Debate

You Did This”: Stephen A. Smith Blasts LeBron James for Bronny's Media Circus - EssentiallySports
LeBron James (Photo by Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)

LeBron James, who played a great game with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, seemed less pleased with Smith’s prior remarks about Bronny. Smith, a longtime sports analyst, had previously stated that while Bronny’s debut alongside his father was a special moment, he didn’t believe the younger James was ready for the NBA just yet.

“My position has always been that should’ve been the only moment we saw Bronny James in a Lakers uniform this season because he’s not ready,” Smith said. He mentioned seeing potential in Bronny but believes he needs more development time.

Bronny, drafted in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, has appeared in 18 games this season, averaging just 1.4 points per game. Many viewed the Lakers’ decision to select him as influenced by LeBron James’ presence, and critics, including Smith, argue the move wasn’t based purely on basketball merit.

Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast
CLAB 30: Un-[expletive]ing the Celtics’ vibe with the Riffsman
Before the Boston Celtics got back in the win column against the Denver Nuggets Tuesday night, it’s probably safe to say emotions surrounding the Celtics internally and among their fans were at a nadir for the season. With a .500 record and embarrassing losses driven in part by players the Celtics could have drafted, rumbles of ire and fingers of blame abounded. But a voice of reason emerged from the wilderness to help us at the Celtics Lab podcast in the form of the so-called “godfather of Weird Celtics Twitter” The Riffsman. If you know him, this is an episode you don’t want to miss as he guides back from the darkside in a most prescient manner. And if you don’t, stick around for the in-depth conversation on how to un-[expletive] the Celtics vibes, Bill Russell’s humanitarianism, and who might click with Boston’s big traded player exception. Join hosts Alex Goldberg and Cam Tabatabaie for an unbuttoned Lab, only made better by the Riffsman calling it like it is. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/celtics-lab-nba-basketball-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Play Episode
54min
rss
Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast
Talking COVID-19, vaccination and the NBA with In the Bubble’s Andy Slavitt
Much of the conversation ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season circulating in the NBA media has revolved around something that isn’t necessarily a basketball conversation, though it has pervaded virtually all aspects of contemporary life. We are of course talking about COVID-19 vaccination in the league, and in particular some especially vaccine-resistant players who occupy positions of considerable influence. But rather than making the story about those individuals, the hosts of the “Celtics Lab” podcast Justin Quinn, Cam Tabatabaie, and Alex Goldberg dug deep in the hopes of re-setting the narratives a bit surrounding how we should engage those persons and the issue of vaccine hesitancy (and more pernicious anti-vaccine sentiments) in society more generally. It can be hard for some of us in the media to see Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and others resistant to making choices for the common good, but a steady stream of fan and media ire is almost certainly going to do little to change their minds on how they can best use their platforms (and bodies) to make us all safer (and teams perhaps more successful) in the midst of a pandemic.  To that end, we were incredibly lucky to have Andy Slavitt of the “In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt” podcast to talk on the intersection of public health in an era of COVID-19, the NBA and society at large. Andy has worked with the last three presidents on issues of public health, most recently serving as President Biden’s COVID-19 advisor. We hope you find this podcast as informative and helpful in coping with and making progress on this viral scourge affecting all of our lives as we did. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/celtics-lab-nba-basketball-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast
Why Boston is probably not making big moves at the deadline with Yossi Gozlan
With the Boston Celtics rolling and their path to hanging Banner 18 looking more possible than it has in many years, you can’t fault fans of the storied ball club for hoping for a reunion with former Boston big men Daniel Theis or Kelly Olynyk. Or failing that, team president Brad Stevens getting a deal done for rumored target Isaiah Stewart to fortify the team’s frontcourt. But even fairly modest trades like these are probably not in the cards for the Celtics this season, who can’t follow through with an offer that makes sense given the exigencies of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement or the team’s current structure. But the team will almost certainly make at least a few lesser moves to get better ahead of the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline in Early February, so the hosts of CLNS Media’s “Celtics Lab” podcast linked up with Cap Sheets’ Yossi Gozlan to try to project what it is Boston actually will end up doing. We also get into why those fun but unrealistic deals bringing back Celtics alumni or Beef Stew are unlikely or impossible, and get caught up on the last Boston news of 2023. The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by FanDuel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast
CL Pod 59: The Boston Celtics Aren’t Dead – They’re Feeling Better, Actually
The Boston Celtics aren’t dead – they’re feeling better actually. Excuse the Monty Python reference, but with all the injuries this team has managed to keep going with yet still be in the hunt for the ultimate prize, Python’s Holy Grail seems pretty apt. The starters have shown signs of life despite being left for dead by the national media, and the second unit keeps on fighting despite losing several key parts, much like the Black Knight. But what other moves has Boston made to address their significant lack of depth, and how are the playoffs looking this week? Maybe most interesting of all, why are beat writers penning missives to their lack of yearning for a departed former player six months after said exit? All these questions and more are answered by Luis Gonzales and Justin Quinn in this week’s podcast.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/celtics-lab-nba-basketball-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Gottlieb’s remarks have reignited the debate over parental involvement in professional sports and whether LeBron, one of the game’s greatest players, handles his son’s NBA journey appropriately. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Bronny- whether he earns his spot or continues to be a lightning rod for controversy.