US President Donald Trump might have an unlikely ally if he decides to pursue LeBron James over potential ties to the NBA’s gambling controversies.
On Monday’s episode of The PBD Podcast, Patrick Bet-David hinted that veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith could side with Trump if any investigation into LeBron gains traction.
“You don’t think deep down inside Stephen A is kind of rooting for Trump?” Bet-David asked. “It’s like, ‘hey man, I know some stuff.’”
He continued, “I don’t think he’ll do it. But let me tell you, you know who is the one guy that I guarantee knows 95% of the stuff? Stephen A. If there is anybody in the NBA, who are commentators, who knows the true character of LeBron, it’s one guy. Stephen A. Smith knows him.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ10II4YBBk
Smith and LeBron have had a tense relationship over the years, often clashing on air and online. Now, with Trump reportedly exploring the possibility of targeting LeBron in connection to the league’s gambling scandal, Bet-David’s comments added more fuel to an already fiery dynamic.
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Bet-David also believes that Trump hasn’t forgotten how LeBron once dissed him publicly — calling the former president a “bum.”
“Do you think President Trump has a memory where he remembers everybody who called him out?” Bet-David said on the show. “Do you remember what LeBron called the president once? A bum.”
He added, “If there’s any ounce of anything on LeBron, do you think Kash (Kash Patel) and their FBI will go investigating LeBron? And imagine if they do… guess who will not go in the Hall of Fame? LeBron James.”
That moment traces back to 2017, when Trump rescinded a White House invite for the Golden State Warriors after Steph Curry said he wouldn’t attend. LeBron fired back, calling Trump a “bum.”
By 2018, Trump had made it clear that neither LeBron nor Curry would ever be invited to the White House during his presidency.
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Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
