Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless clash over Lakers thriving without LeBron

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless reignited their long-dormant rivalry Thursday morning on “First Take,” this time over whether the Los Angeles Lakers are better off without LeBron James.

The debate marked the first time the two iconic personalities have shared a desk since Bayless left the show for Fox Sports in 2016.

Smith posed the question directly: “Are the Lakers better off without LeBron James?”

Bayless answered without hesitation: “Isn’t that obvious to you?”

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 by praising Dončić for developing his game and working 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 exchange was classic Bayless and Smith — loud, personal, and unflinching.

For four years, from 2012 to 2016, the two co-hosted “First Take” together, building a reputation for combustible debates that drew both massive ratings and frequent criticism.

Bayless left ESPN in 2016 to join Fox Sports, where he launched “Undisputed” with Shannon Sharpe.

Since then, the two have rarely appeared on the same program, making Thursday’s reunion a notable event for sports fans.

The debate itself taps into a question that has followed the Lakers all season.

LeBron James turned 40 in December 2024 and is in his 22nd NBA season.

Luka Dončić joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade in February 2025, pairing two of the league’s most ball-dominant superstars.

The Lakers’ record with both players on the floor has been inconsistent, fueling speculation about whether the team might actually function better with Dončić as the sole primary option.

Bayless did not hold back in his assessment of James’ entire tenure in Los Angeles.

“His LA tenure was completely overrated,” Bayless said.

James joined the Lakers in 2018 after four seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and four seasons before that with the Miami Heat.

In Los Angeles, James won one championship in the 2020 NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida.

The Lakers also reached the Western Conference Finals in 2023 but were swept by the Denver Nuggets.

Since the bubble title, the Lakers have missed the playoffs once, lost in the first round once, and lost in the conference finals once.

Smith, for his part, rejected Bayless’ premise entirely.

He argued that the Lakers are not better off without James and that the debate itself is disrespectful to one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Smith did not specify which statistics or recent performances he was relying on, but his tone made clear he considered Bayless’ position extreme.

The two went back and forth for several minutes, with neither backing down.