Cam Johnson believes the media has a “very big responsibility” to avoid becoming the story themselves. However, Stephen A. Smith has made himself the focus in his feud with LeBron James, who accused Smith of going on a “Taylor Swift tour” to discuss their confrontation. This ongoing war of words—and fists—has led to neither side looking good, with the NBA commissioner even weighing in.
You might wonder why the Brooklyn Nets’ leading scorer has a stake in the SAS-LeBron feud. With the sports media saturated with opinions on this never-ending drama, it seems to be devoid of resolution. What sets Johnson apart is his focus on the broader impact this feud has on the game itself. “On one hand, our league is entertainment. We know that,” the UNC product stated during an appearance on The Young Man and The Three. “You know? It is reality TV, to some extent, in real-time, with real stakes. But side stories … they detract from the actual headlines. They overshadow what’s truly happening. While it may seem entertaining, it should never eclipse the main focus of what’s on the court.”
So, does Johnson ever feel like he’s living in a reality show, much like The Truman Show, with everything happening around him? “Not exactly,” he responded. “Personally, I’m not involved directly, but from afar, it does resemble that. I’m actually behind on the details of this entire situation. Yet, I resonate with the idea that it detracts from the actual product we’re covering. It’s fundamental for the media not to make themselves [the story]; that creates a messy situation.”
Smith has already contributed to the chaos, claiming he would’ve “swung” on LeBron if he got too close, and he’s even apologized for making false accusations regarding Kobe Bryant’s memorial service. As it stands, both are stuck in a muddy situation, with neither coming out unscathed.
“You have Stephen A., a prominent voice in sports media who has been elevated to a position of great importance, alongside one of the game’s all-time stars—a huge differentiator in this case,” Johnson notes. “The networks will naturally latch onto what garners the most attention, as they too are vying for their survival amidst the rapidly changing landscape of digital media. It makes one wonder, ‘Who is all of this really for?’ especially since audiences are left questioning the purpose of it all.”
