Stephen A. Smith said that LeBron James should consider retirement, but he should join an Eastern Conference title contender first.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer’s future has been clouded in doubt this summer. It was reported that James was considering a move out of LA after the Los Angeles Lakers showed a “lack of direction” in recent seasons.
James also considered retirement, as the 40-year-old enters his 23rd season in the NBA. Smith thinks it’s time for him to step away from the sport. But he should join another team first and become the favourites to make the NBA Finals.
LA Lakers have no chance of winning a championship this season, says Stephen A Smith
Smith said that if James’ priority was winning championships, he would need to leave LA. Even though they re-signed Luka Doncic and added DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart, the rest of the West is too strong.
He said, “The weather’s beautiful in Southern California. But we know, it has become crystal clear that, pretty much, the weather and Hollywood are the only reasons why LeBron is there. Because he d–n sure isn’t going to win a championship there. It ain’t gonna happen.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder are running it back with their big three, the Houston Rockets traded for Kevin Durant, and the Denver Nuggets made improvements around Nikola Jokic this offseason.
It’s a stacked conference, which presents a challenge to the NBA’s elite.
Smith continued, “Not with Oklahoma City, and be mindful of Dallas. Minnesota and [Anthony Edwards] have already sent them home. You look at the West. It’s loaded. The road to prosperity is hard. It’s much easier in the Eastern Conference this upcoming season.”
The competitiveness of the West has reached a fever pitch. If James wants the best chance of winning his fifth title, he should look East.
Stephen A Smith said LeBron James should retire at the end of next season
James, an Ohio native, is a hero to the city of Cleveland. He brought the Cleveland Cavaliers their first NBA championship in 2016 by pulling off the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. Smith suggested that, as James considers his future, he should make a return to his home state team for a third time.
“Why don’t you just come back to Cleveland to end your career. This cannot be disputed: he has a better chance of winning the championship in Cleveland than he would in LA. The road through the Western Conference is arduous to say the least.”
The Eastern Conference is wide open. The Boston Celtics are out of the picture after Jayson Tatum’s injury, as are the NBA finalist Indiana Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined.
The Cavaliers were shockingly knocked out of the second round in last year’s playoffs after finishing the regular season as the one seed in the East. They lost to the Pacers on their historic run of upsets.
Smith said that James would make Cleveland favorites in the East. He added that if James were to win his fifth NBA title next season, he should consider retiring from the NBA.
He explained, “If LeBron James came back to Cleveland, you’re the favourites to come out of the East. You only need four wins to win a championship. You bring the chip back to Cleveland, and you say goodbye. Five-time champion, tying Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and the crew.”
Walking off in the sunset after an unprecedented 23rd season would be a fitting end to a legendary career.