Stephen A. Smith shares wild theory about why Donald Trump decided to target LeBron James

Donald Trump was far from impressed by Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James' actions during the US national anthem, and Stephen A. Smith has disclosed his theory on their feud.

James was called out for mimicking a golf swing and practicing his basketball shots while the national anthem was sung before the 76ers' season-opening clash against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Footage of the moment went viral on social media, with many - including Donald Trump - blasting the 41-year-old as 'disrespectful'. "While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!" Trump posted on social media. "LeBron James should apologise to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag."

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Stephen A. Smith thinks Donald Trump is gaining 'political advantage' with LeBron James comments

James ultimately couldn't argue against the backlash, as when the US national anthem is played before events, players and spectators are expected to stand and refrain from moving around.

This incident only continues Trump's feud with the NBA superstar. In 2018, the US president suggested James was not intelligent after the athlete said he "would never sit across" from him.

In the same year, James accused Trump of giving racists "an opportunity to be out and outspoken without fear".

Following their most recent altercation, Stephen A. Smith has offered his theory, suggesting that the US president is only using the former Los Angeles Lakers star as a "politically expedient" tool ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3.

“I think that he’s wrong. I think he’s using it to be politically expedient with the midterms coming up," Smith said on his YouTube channel.

"Sports is a mosaic. Everybody, I mean, you don’t have to travel to reach a multitude of demographics when it comes to sports. If you want to send a message to a fan base, you know, you can catch them all at a sporting event, especially when you broach the subject of sports.

“And I think that’s what he’s doing. I’m not saying that it was right for LeBron James during the national anthem to be doing that because we know how sensitive people are in this country, particularly in this day and time when it comes to our national anthem.

The ESPN commentator then suggested that James "doesn't deserve" to be called out by Trump, doubling down on his belief that the 80-year-old is using the comments to gain a "political advantage".

“But this guy’s been an incredible role model. He’s been pretty damn close to flawless throughout his professional career when it comes to how he conducts himself as a professional. He doesn’t deserve to be called out by the president that way. But I also understand that the president is doing it because he believes that he can turn it into a political advantage for himself and his party as the midterms approach.”

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LeBron says how close he came to joining Cleveland Cavaliers

The 76ers have started their NBA campaign with two victories over the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James played a huge role in both wins, beginning his 76ers career in style after joining in July following his LA Lakers departure.

The four-time NBA champion was inundated with offers after announcing his exit from the Lakers and has now revealed how close he came to choosing the Cavaliers.

"The nature of the meeting, I probably won’t discuss much," James said after almost joining the Cavs. "But it was in consideration for sure. I mean, obviously, as a team trying to build towards a championship and things of that nature, I was trying to decide where I wanted to go with the rest of my career, to finish my career, or the next step. So, they had a lot of consideration for sure."

In his quest for a fifth NBA championship, James instead saw the 76ers as the best project after seeing them make some huge signings, notably the acquisition of Jaylen Brown.