Skip Bayless made his long-awaited return to ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday, and within minutes, he was back to doing what he does best: stirring the pot. This time, he dropped a bombshell all-time NBA ranking that places LeBron James outside the top five — and even outside the top eight.
Bayless, known for his relentless criticism of James, didn’t hold back during his reunion with Stephen A. Smith. He called the four-time MVP “the most mentally fragile superstar I have ever closely observed” and claimed James “was born without the clutch gene.” He also took shots at LeBron’s free-throw shooting and three-point consistency, coining the phrase “LeBricks” in the process.
After the rant, Bayless unveiled his top-10 list. Here’s who he has ahead of LeBron: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, and Larry Bird. He ranked James at No. 9, with Wilt Chamberlain rounding out the top 10.
Unsurprisingly, the list didn’t sit well with NBA fans. Many pointed out the irony of Bayless trashing LeBron’s free-throw shooting while ranking Shaquille O’Neal — one of the worst free-throw shooters in league history — at No. 3. “This is where Skip’s logic falls apart,” one fan wrote on social media.
Others accused Bayless of being performative. “His list hasn’t changed in 10 years,” a second fan commented. “This is so obviously performative.” A third fan added, “Magic Johnson top 2 is a gimmick I’ve never gotten in my life.”
Not everyone was outraged, though. Some fans argued that even a harsh critic like Bayless placing LeBron in the top 10 is, in itself, a compliment. “Honestly since it’s coming from someone who made it his mission to dump on LeBron his whole career… having him in the top 10 is pretty good,” one user noted.
The debate comes as LeBron prepares for a tough playoff matchup. He faces uncharted territory as the biggest underdog of his career in Game 1 against the Thunder. Meanwhile, Bayless’ reunion with Smith has already drawn plenty of reactions from the sports media world, with many roasting the duo for their predictable hot takes.
Whether you love him or hate him, Bayless knows how to get people talking. And with LeBron still producing at an elite level at 41, the debate over his legacy is far from over.
