Stephen A. Smith calls out LeBron James after Pat Riley's statement

Hall of Fame Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley had one request for NBA coaches at his statue ceremony: Dress better, as ESPN’s Steven A Smith advises LeBron James should be listened to. Smith advocated for NBA coaches and players to improve their attire on game days.

When people accuse Smith of walking into the arena like he’s going to take the field as a player, he says his bragging is testimony of his clothinghe said, according to ESPN’s First Take.

“People will say he walks in like he’s one of the players, and I said, no, totally false, I’m not on their level. I walk in like I’m the best dressed in the arena. That’s how I walked in. I said the players have to take notes, and now, here we are this year, and the players still shouldn’t be taking money. LeBron and the makers, you can’t dress better than that?

“I’m so happy that Pat Riley brought it up. He got a statue outside the arena, and it’s letting everyone know that there should be a dress code, at least for the coaches. All this money you’re making, you dress like you’re shopping at Target or something.”

“All the damn money LeBron and them make, you can’t dress better than that? I’m so happy Pat Riley brought that up… All this money you make, you dress like you’re shopping at Target or something.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/8VtVHFivVN
— Avful Announcing (@avfulannouncing) February 23, 2026

Riley had a reputation for wearing some of the more expensive suits during his coaching days, an NBA trend that has faded over the years and one that ESPN’s Stephen A Smith clearly misses. Between most players, including the Lakers’ LeBron James, entering the arena in more casual attire and most coaches wearing sweaters and black pants, the NBA isn’t seeing as many expensive suits as it once did in the early 1990s and late 2000s.

JJ Redick takes responsibility for Lakers’ lapses

Lakers coach JJ Redick points to forward LeBron James (23) during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden — Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Head coach JJ Redick took responsibility for the Lakers’ offensive shortcomings in Sunday’s 111-89 loss to the Celtics. As part of a bad trend, the Lakers have failed to respond to the defensive adjustments of one of the better defensive teams in the NBA, which Redick says falls on himas the team’s head coach, he said, according to Khoba Price of the California Post.

“When teams play deep down, we have our counters and we just have to (execute),” Redick said. “I took ownership of it. We have our counters for the deep drop. We’ve got to do a better job…we looked at it today. Our lowest assist potential games are all against the deep drop, so I’ve got to do a better job.”

JJ Redick’s response to a question about the Lakers’ ball movement and whether the lack of it makes them more predictable on defense:
“When teams play deep drops, we have our counters and we just have to (execute)…I’ve taken ownership of it. We have our counters for deep… pic.twitter.com/vvfRZ1OAKSl
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) February 23, 2026