# Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless reignite rivalry over Lakers being better off without LeBron James

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/stephen-a-smith-skip-bayless-reignite-rivalry-over-lakers-being-better-off-without-lebron-james/
- Published: 2026-11-05T18:55:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T19:27:20+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/05/sports/stephen-a-smith-skip-bayless-reignite-beef-over-lakers-lebron-james-debate/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Smith and Bayless clashed over the Lakers’ future without LeBron.
- Bayless said Dončić can take centre stage.
- The former co-hosts renewed a familiar sports debate.

## Summary

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless renewed their on-air rivalry on “First Take” while debating whether the Los Angeles Lakers are better off without LeBron James. Bayless argued that Luka Dončić can now take centre stage and that James’s time in Los Angeles was overrated, while Smith reacted with disbelief.

Bayless said Dončić had grown as a player by improving his fitness and defence, and suggested he had tired of sharing the spotlight with James, who is 40. The Lakers debate is expected to continue during the season. Smith and Bayless previously worked together on the programme for four years before Bayless left for Fox Sports in 2016.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.