Longtime NBA analyst Kenny Smith was a guest on ESPN’s First Take today and he had some harsh words for people asserting that the Los Angeles Lakers have “taken LeBron James for granted” during his time with the team.
When posed the question on First Take, Smith compared what he’s seen with LeBron James to what he experienced with Michael Jordan in college and later with Hakeem Olajuwon in the NBA. He declared that MJ and Hakeem never spoke out publicly about they felt they were perceived or treated by the front office.
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Smith argued that the Lakers have done everything in their power to support LeBron by giving him stars like Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic and even drafted his own son. As a result, he firmly believes that the Lakers have not taken LeBron for granted.
“In college I played with Michael Jordan. In the NBA with Hakeem. Never in their tenure did I hear the word ‘my team’ or ‘taken for granted.’ The things they worried about, were not cookies. Or seats on the plane or seats in the stands. Did the Lakers take him for granted? I would say no. When he wanted AD to be there, they went out and figured out a way to get him. When they needed to make a trade for Luka, they did it. When they needed to draft your son, they did it!”
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Truth or False?
NBA fans had a wide range of responses to Smith’s remarks, with some asserting that his Luka Doncic point doesn’t support his argument while others agreed that he’s right on the money.
“Luka wasn’t brought in to be a second fiddle to LBJ… he was brought in to be the NEW #1 franchise player, unseating LBJ,” one user argued on X.
“Exactly… Every time Lebron wanted something, it happened. AD, Westbrook, JJ Redick, Bronny,” wrote another.
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Jan 30, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doncic (77) talks with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images© Brad Mills-Imagn Images.
“Why he mention Luka like that was for him? If anything that was in spite of him lol,” a third wrote.
Like every LeBron James debate, this one will never be settled with words, certainly not while he’s still playing.
This story was originally published by The Spun on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.