Throughout the feud between ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and NBA superstar LeBron James, FS1 host Nick Wright has been cheering for James from the sideline. The First Things First debater and loyal LeBron fan has passionately defended the King online and on Fox’s airwaves, putting Smith in his place. So much so that during a guest spot on a livestream by The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz last week, Wright shared what he hoped would be his thank-you gift from James.
“I bought two dead-true courtside seats to Lakers-Memphis for Saturday,” Wright said last week. “Am I saying that LeBron and I are going to have a LeBron and Stephen A. interaction on the court, except the exact opposite? I’m not saying that. I am saying that I’m going to be sitting courtside for Lakers-Grizzlies Saturday. Because … things just keep coming up Nick Wright. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” Wright’s wishes came true when, after the Lakers beat Memphis by seven, James approached him along the sideline for hugs and hellos.
Another angle of LeBron & Nick Wright after lakers vs grizzlies 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xk7oxSgO2S
— nbashane (@nbashane_) March 30, 2025
For years, Wright has been one of the most ardent LeBron supporters in sports media, defending the four-time NBA champion as the greatest of all time. He has already predicted the Lakers to make this year’s NBA Finals and is notably a client of Klutch Sports, the agency representing James and founded by his friend Rich Paul. In defending James’ side of the beef with Smith last week, Wright told Smith to “take the L” and commented that Smith was spiraling into a “crash-out.” Now, after buying tickets for the Memphis game a month ago, Wright’s mission is accomplished as he has vigorously taken James’ side of the feud and received just the attention he sought.
