LeBron James sounds off on NBA media in ‘face of the league’ debate: ‘S–t on everybody’

LeBron James will have to eventually pass the torch of being the face of the NBA, but he said he knows the crown is not wanted — and knows one of the reasons why.

Anthony Edwards was thought of as one of the potential next torch-bearers, but at NBA All-Star Weekend, the Timberwolves star pointed his finger toward Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama.

James said this week that he didn’t take offense at Edwards’ opinion, as the 40-year-old said he understands why no one would want the job.

The four-time MVP said part of that reason is the NBA has people covering the league who “s–t on everybody.”

“Why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s–t on everybody?” James said after the Lakers defeated the Timberwolves on Thursday. “That responsibility, it’s just weird energy from the people that, you know, I don’t know.

“Ant said he don’t want it. I didn’t ask for it, but I knew there was a responsibility for me, not only to my family, my friends, my community and whoever that was going to follow my journey throughout my career, not only in Ohio when I started there but all over America and all over the world when I traveled all over the world. I’ve always taken that seriously and understood from the beginning what being a professional was all about and what being a role model was all about.”

“I feel Ant. I understand. I completely understand. There’s just weird energy when it comes to that,” James concluded.

James’ answer caused a stir around the league and with at least one media member.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took James’ “all the people” to include himself, which caused him to rail against the 21-time All-Star on Friday morning.

“First of all, there’s a whole bunch of players that cover the league. They’re former players,” Smith said on “First Take.” “They’re not just reporters, they’re former players. Former big-time players, former Hall of Fame players, they talk about the league too. Is everything negative?

“When he talks about people covering the league, we know he’s talking about me … and he’s not just talking about people like me, he talked about Inside the NBA.”

Smith also said James “alluded to” the famed “Inside the NBA” panel on TNT without saying their names directly.

Following the on-screen clapback, James took to X to double down on his point on Friday night.

“Exactly made my point but anyways. Happy this convo has started,” James wrote. “It ain’t about ‘face of the game” and it ain’t about one person or one show, it’s about the culture of basketball,, the most beautiful game in the world. Our game has never been better. Incredible young stars from all over the world and some older ones [three laughing crying emojis] Steph Curry should be all we are talking about today. Let’s discuss how great OKC and The Cavs have been this season with 2 completely different styles and break down why and how they have. Of course if players don’t perform we need to discuss that too and break that down.

“Even that can be discussed in a way that’s not to bring finality to that players game but to leave room to see how that player responds and let’s watch the journey of that player.

“This ain’t about me either. At this point i dont really care what’s said about me it’s always something. This is about the impact the negativity is having on our beautiful game and our fans. I know I speak for a lot of players and more importantly, a helluva lot of great fans that truly love and celebrate this sport around the world. #MindtheGame”