Overview

• On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith called LeBron James’ Hennessy promotion “corny” and “cringy” and said he would wonder if James had been drinking before a game if he played poorly when it counts.
• James had teased a “Decision 2.0” on social media that many expected to be major news, but the reveal was a Hennessy advertisement that drew disappointment from fans and commentators.
• A clip of Smith’s remarks circulated widely across sports media and social platforms, including posts from Awful Announcing on October 8.
• The exchange follows earlier friction that included James confronting Smith last season over comments about Bronny James, setting the stage for ongoing personal and professional tension.
• Some former players pushed back on Smith’s critique, with Nick Young framing the ad as a joke and Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson, and Channing Frye praising the campaign’s effectiveness.