As the Los Angeles Lakers navigate the search for their next head coach following Dan Hurley’s decision to remain at UConn, LeBron James has ventured into the podcast world. Earlier this year, James launched the “Mind the Game” podcast with ESPN analyst JJ Redick, a show that has been praised for its insightful basketball discussions. However, the timing and optics of this move have sparked controversy.
Stephen A. Smith, on a recent episode of “First Take,” revealed that several coaches have expressed discomfort with the timing of the podcast’s launch. Redick, who is considered a leading candidate for the Lakers’ head coaching job after Darvin Ham’s firing, started the podcast with James while Ham was still under scrutiny. Smith noted that numerous coaches, particularly Black coaches, felt uneasy about this situation, perceiving it as potentially undermining Ham’s position.
“Numerous coaches, Black coaches, called me expressing how they took issue with that podcast taking place,” Smith stated, explaining that these coaches were particularly concerned about the impact on Ham. Molly Qerim, co-host of “First Take,” queried whether the discomfort stemmed from James collaborating with “a white guy” or if it was due to the potential detriment to Ham. Smith clarified that the main issue was the negative effect on Ham, emphasizing that any coach would be thrilled to have the opportunity to work with James.
Smith defended Redick’s involvement, acknowledging that anyone would seize the chance to collaborate with a player of James’s caliber. He stressed that the concern wasn’t about Redick’s participation but rather about the timing and the implications it had for Ham’s tenure with the Lakers. Smith pointed out that James is known for his strategic thinking and narrative control, suggesting that the podcast’s launch during a tumultuous season for Ham raised significant questions.
The discussion on “First Take” highlighted that while the podcast was celebrated for its content, its timing coincided with increased pressure on Ham, including from Lakers teammate Anthony Davis. Smith questioned why the podcast couldn’t have been started during the playoffs or after Ham’s departure, criticizing the decision to launch it during the season when Ham’s job was already under scrutiny.
Qerim pushed back against the notion that James would intentionally undermine Ham to favor Redick, to which Smith clarified his position. “I’m not saying he orchestrated something to push Darvin Ham out the door to get JJ Redick the job, that’s not what I’m saying,” Smith explained. “What I’m saying is you are a person known for being mindful and cognizant of the optics. How could you possibly think that was going to look good?”
In conclusion, Smith’s remarks have brought to light concerns within the coaching community about the implications of James’s podcast with Redick. While the content of the podcast is widely appreciated, its timing amidst the Lakers’ coaching turmoil has sparked debate about optics and strategic decision-making within the NBA.