“Trump says something they ask LeBron about it” – Stephen A Smith backs Lakers star’s stance on Cowboys’ Jerry Jones amid segregation controversy
Following the Los Angeles Lakers' 128-109 victory last night over the Portland Trailblazers, LeBron James asked the media why they weren't asking him questions about the Jerry Jones segregation rally picture from 1957.
Earlier this week, The Washington Post unveiled an old picture of the Cowboys owner attending a Little Rock segregation rally, a picture that went viral on social media hours later.
LeBron James questioned why the media didn't ask him about the Jerry Jones picture but were so quick to ask him about the Kyrie Irving situation.
James said in the presser:
"I got one question for you guys before you guys leave. I was thinking when I was on my way over here, I was wondering why I haven't gotten a question from you guys about the Jerry Jones photo. But when the Kyrie [Irving] thing was going on, you guys were quick to ask us questions about that."
ESPN First Take analyst Stephen A. Smith backed James' comments.
He agreed with James for asking why the media focused so much on Kyrie Irving's situation with his anti-semitic comments but weren't talking or asking questions about Jones' involvement at a racist rally that took place.
Smith said:
“I can’t applaud LeBron enough for what he said, because that wasn’t about Jerry Jones if you’re listening. What LeBron was talking about is unavoidable."
"The media; Trump says something, they ask LeBron about it…LeBron James has been subjected to question after question after question, but suddenly when it came to Jerry Jones, you didn’t ask? Because I assure you, if I was in that press room, I would have asked LeBron about it.”
“The fact that he wasn’t asked that question and he had to bring up the subject to a media in the year 2022 gives credence and buffers the argument that Kyrie Irving was making when Kyrie said, ‘where’s the intensity when our people are going through stuff. That’s what LeBron was calling out.”
Smith continued by saying how powerful the media is and how they avoid certain subjects.
He added:
“The media is the fourth estate, we play a significant role in subjects that are actually broached and subjects that are avoided. Some people in the media will say ‘well he’s an NFL owner, you’re an NBA player, Kyrie’s a contemporary.’ But that doesn’t wash. Cause you’ve asked LeBron about a multitude of things that were not basketball relates, so why didn’t you ask about this now?”
Jerry Jones gives weak response to why he was present at 1957 Little Rock rally
In 1957, a 14-year-old Jerry Jones took his place at a segregation rally in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Since the Washington Post unearthed the image, Jones has been getting a lot of criticism.
Following their Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants, Jones was swarmed by the media asking him about the events that took place that day and why he attended.
Jones said:
"That was 65 years ago, I had no idea when I walked up there what I was doing, just a reminder to me how to improve and do things the right way."
"Nobody there had any idea, frankly, what was going to take place. You didn’t, we didn’t have all the last 70 years of reference and all the things that were going. You didn’t have a reference point there, but still, I’ve got a habit of sticking this nose, right place at the wrong time."
While it took place many years ago, the picture and event will certainly be under scrutiny, especially in today's age.
Several analysts and sports personalities think Jones' response was "politcally incorrect."
If you use any of the above quotes, please First Take and H/T Sportskeeda