JJ Redick Apologized to Stephen A. Smith After Heated Argument Got Personal

Things got heated Tuesday morning on ESPN’s First Take when Stephen A. Smith and JJ Redick traded barbs discussing LeBron James’s potential retirement.

James floating retirement possibilities have led to discussions revolving around whether he has ulterior motives at play, attempting to use the threat of retirement to send a message about players he wants around him moving forward. While Redick emphasized that James’s comments were likely “calculated,” he also spoke to the wear and tear James’s body has gone through in his career and took a jab at Smith in the process.

“It’s not just for a calculated reason. [James] is coming off year 20, age 38, a long playoff run where he has had to play a ton of minutes with an injury,” Redick said. “It’s just human nature that you would begin to say, ‘maybe I’m nearing the end.’”

When Smith responded that he “doesn’t understand much of what JJ just said,” Redick responded with a knock on Smith’s playing career.

“Well, you didn’t play, Stephen A,” Redick said. “You don’t understand our athletic mortality. Three games at wherever, South Dakota Winston-Salem State doesn’t count.”

JJ Redick throwing some shade at Stephen A’s college basketball career ???? pic.twitter.com/wdeXArq6eS

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 23, 2023

Smith seemed to take it well, saying, “I got a degree and now I’m on TV with you, I must be doing something right.” 

Redick did go on later in the show to apologize, admitting that Smith had gotten “underneath his skin” and saying he meant no disrespect to Winston-Salem State or to Smith.

This was needed and deserved. https://t.co/zoJ8rei4hW

— JC’s Pops (@JDub9911) May 23, 2023

Smith and Redick have butted heads before, with Redick often leaning on his playing experience to criticize Smith and other First Take co-hosts for their takes. Luckily, Smith seems to be taking those comments in stride so far.