Who Hates LeBron James Most? The Skip Bayless Story

The Complex Nature of LeBron James Criticism

As a character from an outstanding series once said: “Hate is a strong word, Betty. I hate Nazis. And I have an ex-wife who… bothers me.”

I’m confident that if you asked even the least rational LeBron critic about their dislike for the basketball star, they’d frame it in terms of preference for other players, perceived decline in NBA quality, changing eras, or other subjective reasons that seem important to them. It wouldn’t be that distilled, frighteningly pure hatred that sometimes drives people to terrible actions.

LeBron Hate: A Media Creation

To a certain extent, “hatred of LeBron” is an abstract concept born from countless fragments of phrases, comparisons, accusations, tweets, and envious mockery. In simpler terms, it’s primarily a product of the media environment.

And if there’s one thing LeBron knows how to do, it’s conduct the media orchestra. This massive, years-long accumulation of negative information has significantly become part of his subsequent legacy. Those who now fire critical arrows at LeBron with Stakhanovite zeal are actually working to build his reputation.

Meet the Production Leaders of LeBron Criticism

Skip Bayless: The Man Working “For the Idea”

One person stands out for working “for the idea” and never stopping his search for the most absurd and unconventional reasons to criticize LeBron.

The key to understanding Skip Bayless lies in his media career-long admiration of Michael Jordan. At one point, he was even the lead writer for the Chicago Tribune (though in 1998, toward the end of Jordan’s time with the Bulls).

LeBron’s Arrival: Bayless’s Career Revival

LeBron’s entry into the league essentially gave Bayless’s career a second wind. It was in the early 2000s that Bayless not only became a columnist but also began appearing more frequently on television and radio broadcasts.

In 2003, he and Stephen A. Smith began hosting the weekly Sunday program “Old School/Nu School” on Sports Center. At the same time, LeBron entered the league with his already famous background, including the title of “The Next Jordan.”

The Perfect Storm for Bayless

For Bayless, this was an ideal situation. Not only did he personally sympathize with Michael Jordan because he had witnessed his best years and was part of the 90s journalism scene, but he also needed to embody the image of a white conservative (Bayless is from Oklahoma) who looked down on an unproven upstart.

Essentially, Bayless had struck gold.

The Absurdity Grows With LeBron’s Success

The more successful James’s career became, the more persistent and absurd Bayless’s attacks appeared. The life necessity for a hate object became particularly evident during the later stages of Bayless’s career.

First, it was Bayless—not Stephen A. Smith—who was cut from ESPN, with the network deciding that Skip’s criticism of LeBron was no longer as relevant.

From ESPN to FOX News and Beyond

Bayless moved to FOX News but didn’t last long there either, first clashing with his co-host Shannon Sharpe and later facing sexual harassment allegations.

Today, Bayless continues his media activities but remains distant from major projects. The 73-year-old veteran still tries to make the sports world tremble through his persistent criticism, though his influence has significantly diminished from his peak years as LeBron’s most vocal detractor.