Stephen A. Smith is certain that the launch of the “Mind the Game” podcast by LeBron James and J.J. Redick was meticulously calculated.

Smith, the ESPN personality, believes the two were playing their own “mind games” with the league as Lakers head coach Darvin Ham was on the hot seat before his firing.

“J.J. is a different situation because of the situation LeBron James and his camp created by doing that podcast in the middle of the season knowing that Darvin Ham was on the hot seat,” Smith said sternly Thursday morning on “First Take.”

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Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers directing his team during a game against the Denver Nuggets
Darvin Ham was fired by the Lakers after a first-round playoff exit.Getty Images

“I don’t care what anybody says, that was a very egregious thing to do… I’m not talking about the podcast itself, I’m talking about the timing.”

The podcast’s origin dates back to March, and on the show, James and Redick cover everything that happens on the hardwood.

The podcast has eclipsed 33.1 million total views and a devoted 653,000 subscribers.

But Smith thinks something is off.

He believes the two “knew” what they were truly doing.

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith in a pink suit, reporting from the American Airlines Center before Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks
Stephen A. Smith at Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals.Getty Images
They decided to kick off the podcast while Ham was still in Los Angeles coaching for his job, instead of waiting until after the season.

That’s what irked Smith.

“You’re wearing the Lakers uniform, you are a player, you know your coach is on the hot seat,” Smith said.

Smith took his claim one step further.

LeBron James in a yellow Lakers jersey checking the scoreboard during a first-round playoff game against the Denver Nuggets
LeBron James’ own future in Los Angeles is still up in the air.AP
He believes James likely wanted to showcase Redick’s knowledge of the game, proving he would be a suitable head coaching candidate.

“They’re talking plays, they’re talking schemes, they’re talking strategies, they’re talking about all these things,” Smith said.

J.J. Redick in a suit prior to Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
J.J. Redick suits up for Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals.Getty Images
Whether or not James intended for this to happen, Ham was eventually removed and Redick is still one of the candidates for the coaching vacancy, which has still not been filled after UConn’s Dan Hurley decided to stay in the Big East.