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Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James ‘GOAT’ status takes hit after Darvin Ham firing, claims Stephen A. Smith

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Ubong Archibong | Last updated 5/7/24

The LA Lakers, after their first-round elimination by the Denver Nuggets, terminated the contract of head coach Darvin Ham with rumors suggesting that LeBron James had a hand in his departure. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes that this reflects badly on James, which might potentially tarnish his legacy.

Stephen A. Smith noted that LeBron James has had nine head coaches in his 21-year career in the NBA, and the changes may have been the reason for him winning ‘just’ four rings.

There is no way Davin Ham is gone if Anthony Davis and LeBron James want him to stay. All of those things come along with critiquing one's GOAT’s status… Maybe that’s the reason LeBron has four rings instead of six. Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN’s First Take

The four-time NBA champion had a well-known influence in the Lakers back office and there’s a possibility that his desire to win before hanging up his boots may have been the reason Coach Ham was fired. And there’s this talk that he desperately needs another ring to get closer to the six rings that his GOAT rival Michael Jordan has.

.@stephenasmith believes having 10 different head coaches takes away from LeBron James' case for the NBA GOAT.

"Maybe that's the reason LeBron has four rings instead of six." pic.twitter.com/HAOmLHAukd
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 6, 2024

Furthermore, while fans and analysts all admire his competitiveness and drive to succeed even at 39, the frequent sacking of his coaches has raised questions over his leadership abilities and ability to work with coaches who won’t always agree with him. Interestingly, reports have it that he has a say in the new coach-finding process as well.

Kendrick Perkins makes shocking comment about LeBron James

The Lakers firing head coach Darvin Ham is still making the rounds and LeBron James is accused of being the mastermind behind it. However, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins shared his candid thoughts on James, where he stated he wished for him to retire in order for him to protect his legacy and the GOAT debate.

I wish LeBron James would retire. Not because I don't want to see more of LeBron James, not because I don't appreciate LeBron James, but I honestly believe deep down inside, the more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it's going to hurt his legacy and the more it's going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument. Kendrick Perkins said via ESPN’s First Take

"I wish LeBron James would retire. Not because I don't want to see more of LeBron James. … The more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it's going to hurt his legacy and the more it's going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument."

—@KendrickPerkins pic.twitter.com/WbU2IpjDWZ
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 6, 2024

LeBron James will turn 40 in December as well as enter his 22nd season in the NBA. He still remains among the league’s top 15 players, as he ended the season with an impressive average of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

Furthermore, he hasn’t said anything about bidding goodbye to basketball as he wishes to play alongside his eldest son, Bronny. So, Perkins and other critics anticipating James’ retirement, get ready for LeBron James’ 22nd season.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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