"I can't make one damn shot?" - Stephen A. Smith backs his claim of scoring vs LeBron James with Austin Rivers' NFL-NBA players analogy
Stephen A. Smith, who is known for his hot takes concerning sports, has strong confidence in himself to knock down at least one shot over the intimidating presence of LeBron James. During ESPN's "First Take" on Thursday, the NBA analyst wanted to make his claims clear without making any disrespect the same way that Austin Rivers did with his NFL-NBA players analogy.
Explaining his claim on a live television segment, Stephen A. Smith argued that the particular context involved doesn't include trying to stop the 20-time NBA All-Star or relying on a shot attempt. Smith pointed to being able to sneak and convert one shot in the matchup if he was allowed at least 30 attempts at the basket.
In the middle of his argument, the "First Take" host wanted to make it known that he wasn't trying to disrespect the defensive skill set of an NBA-caliber player such as LeBron James, the same way that former LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers did when he compared the capabilities of NFL players to transition to an NBA court.
"This is me shooting the rock," Smith said. "This what I can do. Now let me be very clear, I said it and meant it. If he doesn't have to give the ball back, he'll score 100 straight points at me, I can't stop him. ... If they're going to give me 99 [shots], I can't make one damn shot? ... If you gave me 30 chances at one shot? 1-of-30?"
Originally, Austin Rivers raised some eyebrows when he argued about the talent gap between NBA and NFL athletes, particularly referring to being able to name at least 30 basketball players who could dominate on the football field. However, he wasn't too sure if NFL players could do the same thing.
It was an interesting comment from Rivers, who played 14 seasons in the NBA, to present some disparity in the talent level between two different professional sports leagues, even if he hasn't dipped his toes in some professional football.
Be that as it may, Smith backed up his claims with some specific conditions in his matchup against LeBron James if he was to score at least one field goal on him. However, his fellow co-hosts weren't exactly too fond of his comments, considering the challenge of getting a shot up over the Lakers forward in the first place.
Stephen A. Smith reacts to Austin Rivers' NBA-NFL players' comments
During an episode on "The Stephen A. Smith Show," the NBA analyst reacted to Austin Rivers' comments concerning his NBA-NFL analogy and made it clear that he was not siding with the former Timberwolves guard.
"I'm going to say this about what Austin Rivers said, I can't side with him on that," Smith said. "Here's what I'm going to tell you, football is such a physical sport ... but free safties, cornerbacks, strong safties, wide receivers, running backs, you sure they can't play basketball? You sure you can't find 30 of them?"
Compared to the arguments made by Rivers, Stephen A. Smith highlighted the level of physicality involved in the NFL that varies differently from how the game is played in the NBA. He also pointed to the kind of skill and basketball IQ required to play professional basketball.
With how athletic football athletes are, Stephen A. Smith disagreed that Rivers couldn't name players that could transition well to the NBA, considering the positions that would fit their playing style.