Doug Gottlieb Fires Back to LeBron James on His First Coaching Season
February 19, 2025
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Sports talk radio host/college basketball coach Doug Gottlieb wasted no time responding to Lakers superstar LeBron James after his comments about his record as a first-year coach.
More LeBron James: LeBron James Takes Shot at Doug Gottlieb After Rough First Season as Coach
Gottlieb called into a show on the Fox Sports network and responded to address the jab from James.
He accused the 21-time All-Star of “punching down” by criticizing him and his team.
“I don’t think it speaks well for somebody who — like, don’t you have the day off?” Gottlieb said. “Don’t you have better things to do? My response is: Colin [Cowherd] told me a long time ago, ‘Don’t punch down. Always punch up.’ So me talking trash to him would technically be punching up. And him, it’s punching down. So I don’t know. I guess pettiness and insecurity aren’t limited to just people who aren’t super successful in their field. I guess that would be my response.
“It just doesn’t make any sense. Why on a Presidents’ Day Monday, when you have the day off, are you worried about me? I’m not really sure.”
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 12, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The sports talk radio show host/college… LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 12, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The sports talk radio show host/college basketball coach fired back at the Lakers superstar.
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
It is clear that there is some distaste between the two, and who knows when and if this will end?
The jab from James came on Monday after Gottlieb’s team, the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix, snapped a 21-game losing streak Sunday.
The beef between the two was sparked last summer when Gottlieb took a shot at James and his son, Lakers rookie guard Bronny James.
The coach/ sports talk show host called LeBron a “bad basketball parent” and criticized how the Lakers treated Bronny, comparing him to a “Make-A-Wish kid.”
“He would compete to start,” Gottlieb said. “While I like how he moves the ball and defends, he wouldn’t be my point guard. My wings are bigger, and without seeing him with us, I think it would be hard for him to start, to be honest.”
Whether James will respond or not, only time will tell.
In the meantime, the Lakers will return to action on Wednesday when they host the Chalrote Hornets in their first game back from the All-Star break.
As for Gottlieb’s Phoenix, they are now 3-24 on the season and next face Robert Morris on Friday.
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For more NBA news and rumors, stay tuned to Newsweek Sports.
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