Stephen A. Smith And Skip Bayless Have A Conversation About Race

by Glenn Davis | 5:15 pm, June 17th, 2011

Stephen A. Smith was on First Take again today with Skip Bayless. Was it loud? Of course. Was it unbearable at times? Of course. But because we are so fond of you, dear readers, we point you toward a less-shouty moment from the latest round of Smith Vs. Bayless…and it was on a topic one might think would inspire the most impassioned feelings.

That topic: has race played a role in criticism of LeBron James? Stephen A. said it had – not a big one, but one nonetheless. You were probably expecting that.

Then, though, Skip…agreed. And considering most Stephen A.-Skip “debates” are the purest form of the worst of what everyone imagines a program like First Take or Around the Horn to be – two guys with nothing but loudness in their favor, trying to out-loud one another until viewers’ collective cries for mercy are so overwhelming that yes, for once the people on TV can hear you through the screen just like you can hear them – that’s worth noting.

It makes sense that if Stephen A. and Skip were going to tone it down for anything, it would be for one of their more serious topics. It’s also wise on Skip’s part to not be quite so haughty when he’s talking about race relations with a black person who’s had experiences that Skip, for obvious reasons, can’t replicate. (His volume, if you’ll remember, also went down during the Jalen Rose-Duke controversy, during which Chris Broussard made some excellent points.)

Here is today’s discussion:

As for the arguments themselves – we’re not sure about Stephen A.’s contention that the LeBron problem (for a small number of people) originated in a “black man exercis[ing] the power that he had” in teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, thereby “buck[ing] the system.”

Sure, people were upset about that, but from everything we saw, that had a whole lot more to do with how teaming up with another superstar made it seem like LeBron was just giving up. Additionally, if people were mad that the Heat teamup had a “contagious effect” on other stars throughout the league, then they’d better also be mad at the Celtics’ Big Three, which LeBron pointed to as his inspiration to join Wade in Miami. And as far as well can tell, there’s no particular malice toward that group.

Rather, we find ourselves agreeing more with Skip’s side here. His position was ultimately the same as Stephen A.’s (i.e. yes, race is a factor), but for the reason that, well, race is a factor in everything. Race relations – often, through the years, in the ugliest sense of that term – are such a part of the fabric of American society that it’s impossible to entirely separate race from the rest of the equation when dealing with a polarizing figure like LeBron.

So brace yourselves: Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, in the clip you can see above, are…not so bad. They (mostly) use their inside voices, and in the end, we even agreed with them. Sure, we didn’t follow all of Stephen A.’s points, but hey – baby steps, people. Plus, he redeemed any potential misstep on his part by referring to those who overly criticize LeBron for unfounded reasons as “sports birthers.” Stephen A. Smith coining a phrase we might want to use? We don’t know if we’re ready for this.

Kalel0521

No it hasn’t and as a white guy I can prove it. There has been maybe one “clutch” white basketball player, Larry Bird. Everyone else has been black. The race has been irrelevant because of this. Lebron has not been able to handle the pressure like previous athletes OF THE SAME RACE have. Race has nothing to do with this at all. His inability to play under pressure does.
Anonymous

That “proves” nothing Kalel0521. The majority of the NBA is black, so it’s no shock most of the clutch players have been black. It’s one thing to criticize Lebron’s play in fourth quarters, his displays of ego over the past year. But the level of vitriol and hatred towards him is insane. And for what? For exercising his right as a free agent? For taking less money to play on a championship caliber team (Cleveland collapsed this year without which shows you how hopeless the Cleveland players were)? You would have to be very naive not to see that race played a factor in the “Lebron is the worst guy ever” spectacle this year. Lebron wasn’t a wife beater like Jason Kidd. He didn’t sexually assault women like Ben Rothlisberger. But somehow he is regarded as worse than those guys? Give me a break. Race is not the overrding factor but it’s a factor.
NC

Race has nothing to do with it – Lebron basked/enjoyed the adulation of the citizens of Ohio (the state where he is from) – and then totally turned his back on them.

The MAJOR difference between Lebron and the Big Three is that they were older and closer to the end of their careers and wanted to win a title on the “way out” AND didn’t handle it like jerks. Lebron isn’t old—-if he had stayed in Ohio until closer to the end of his career; didn’t throw ballgames; and actually acted like he appreciated his Cavalier fanbase – THEN he would have been treated better.

Bosh doesn’t get much backlash, does he?
NC

And I don’t think that Lebron is treated worse than Roethsliberger….or Favre….or any number of other athletes, white/black/etc. There is still a problem with race relations – but being a jerk is color blind.

Lebron has been a jerk but not criminal—but if you want to be treated like the “golden boy”; then you need to keep acting like one…..it doesn’t matter if you’re Tiger, Favre, Big Ben, Kobe, etc —
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jay-Bee/100000180102670 Jay Bee

i respect skips answer on this one .. he was honest
JOHNNIE “BLUE” GARDNER

As a 70 year old Black Negro of African descent I know that the subject of Race in this place called the US will always be Relevant! There is one overriding all encompasing question that should but will never be answered. That being. What is it about TRUTH that 98% of Whites Hate? An honest truthful open debate regarding Race will NEVER happen in this place called the US because TRUTH will forever be on the Scaffold and Wrong on the Throne! “Wilt Chamberlain” had it right way back in the 60′s when he said that Pro basketball wasn’t a Game it’s a Business! LOVE? LBJ AKA Lebron James, made a business decision as all WHITE Pro athletes do. No Pro athlete owns any so called fan
any damn thing! I played sports all of my youthful life Everyday and I’m well aware what these guys go through for the Glory & Money they get. And 95% of them deserve
every damn penny they can get! Owners are really SLAVEMASTERS! That’s why they say they ”OWN” certain players, Rights! they don’t OWN any damn thing but the Team, if they own that. slavemasters trading Slaves from one Plantation to the other Plantation! I’ve got much much more but I don’t have the space to say it here. By the way I’m a native of Winston-Salem NC and had the opportunity to play against “Cleo Hill,” “Earl
‘The pearl’ Monroe” and “Al Attles” so I know a little bit of what I’m talking about. I like to make contact with “Stephen A. Smith” if possible, since he spent time in Winston with “HOUSE” whom I knew very well.
Sandore

I’am nearly 60 and Italian-American and everything I know about slavery I saw on Roots. Never saw a water fountain that said “colored” or “whites only”. Frankly I’m a little tired of blacks who never experienced anything close to the horrors of slavery pretending that it’s a factor in their lives just to create white-guilt among the passive sissy liberal whites that are in the majority in this sissy liberal country we live in. If the average bystander can’t see that the real bigots in this country are now black people that are always making racist remarks and judgments like some of us can’t figure out your point. If the owners are slavemasters then please try and convince the millionaires playing a kids game to walk away from the slavemasters, if for no other reason then principle. Please, walk away from the evil SLAVEMASTERS. You must think everyone is stupid and won’t call your racist bluff.
Sandore the Great