Stephen A. and Skip Bayless Clash Over Lakers Without LeBron

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless reignited their legendary rivalry Thursday morning on ESPN's "First Take."

The topic was whether the Los Angeles Lakers are better off without LeBron James.

Bayless did not mince words.

"Isn't that obvious to you?"

Bayless said when Smith posed the question.

Smith shot back: "No!"

Bayless then laid out his case.

"I believe that Luka Dončić got sick and tired of having to share the stage with a LeBron James who couldn't live up to being LeBron James anymore, as he hit 40 years of old," Bayless said.

Smith responded by putting his hand over his face and saying, "Oh my god."

Bayless continued to praise Dončić for developing his game.

He noted that Dončić worked on his weaknesses over the years, including his physical shape and his defense.

"Now the stage has been cleared of a LeBron James who, I've gotta say this, his LA tenure was completely overrated," Bayless added.

The two men worked together on "First Take" for four years before Bayless left for Fox Sports in 2016.

Their reunion on the same set Thursday morning felt nostalgic for sports fans, regardless of which side of the debate they are on.

The debate about whether the Lakers are indeed better off without King James will likely continue throughout this season.

But witnessing Bayless and Smith reignite their rivalry over the LeBron-Lakers debate is what caught the attention of viewers.

Smith and Bayless are known for their passionate and often polarizing takes on sports.

Their chemistry on "First Take" made the show a staple of sports television.

Bayless's departure to Fox Sports in 2016 ended their daily on-air partnership.

Since then, they have rarely shared a set.

Thursday's appearance marked a rare moment of reunion.

The debate itself centers on a question that has divided Lakers fans: Is the team better without LeBron?

LeBron James joined the Lakers in 2018.

He led the team to an NBA championship in the 2020 bubble season.

Since then, the Lakers have struggled with roster construction and injuries.

LeBron turned 40 years old in December 2024.

He remains one of the most productive players in the league but has shown signs of decline.

Luka Dončić joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade in February 2025.

The trade sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.

Dončić immediately became the centerpiece of the Lakers' offense.

He has averaged near triple-double numbers since joining the team.

The Lakers have performed well with Dončić as the primary option.

This has led to the question of whether the team functions better without LeBron on the floor.

Bayless's argument hinges on the idea that Dončić needed his own stage.

He believes that sharing the spotlight with an aging LeBron held Dončić back.

Smith pushed back against that idea.

He argued that LeBron's presence still elevates the team.

The two went back and forth for several minutes.

Neither side conceded.

The segment quickly went viral on social media.

Fans shared clips of the exchange across platforms.

Many noted that the old chemistry between Smith and Bayless was still there.

Others took sides in the debate.

Some agreed with Bayless that the Lakers are better off without LeBron.

Others sided with Smith, arguing that LeBron's value goes beyond statistics.