‘Mild heart attack’ – Stephen A. Smith stunned by Shannon Sharpe branding LeBron James ‘selfish’

LeBron James enraged fans by pulling out of the NBA's All-Star mini-tournament an hour before tip-off.

The Los Angeles Lakers great was set to appear in the mid-season showpiece for a record-extending 21st consecutive time.

But a troublesome ankle injury caused him to withdraw minutes before he was due on court -- leaving no time for a replacement.

"You won't see anything from me tonight. Unfortunately I will not be in uniform tonight - I'm still dealing with ankle and foot discomfort," King James revealed.

"So I will not be playing... unfortunately. I hate that."

TNT pundits tore into James over the late announcement.

"I think (he) could have helped somebody else out and said this earlier," Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green insisted.

"He took a roster spot from somebody," ex-NBA star Jalen Rose added.

"He has to let it be known earlier," said Slam Dunk Contest legend Vince Carter. "There are a lot of guys who are worthy."

Hall of Fame NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe also took issue with LeBron on ESPN's First Take after Steph Curry inspired Shaquille O'Neal's team to victory without the 40-year-old.

"I'm diappointed in LeBron," he began. "I believe that LeBron knew on Wednesday night after the game that he wasn't gonna play. "

"If the reports are true, LeBron didn't even arrive until Saturday," he added. "I just don't get it. I believe that Norman Powell was deserving (of a place).

"If you're not going to play, give someone else the opportunity to fill that spot. Left Shaq with just seven guys instead of the customary eight.

"I did not agree with this decision guys, I thought LeBron in this situation was selfish. He knew he wasn't gonna play."

As Sharpe was talking, co-host Stephen A. Smith put his hand to his heart and grew increasingly more animated.

"Shannon, I need to pause you there for a second, you can't see Stephen A.'s facial expressions, I think he had a mild heart attack," joked fellow star Molly Qerim.

"I'm just so proud of my boy Shannon Sharpe," said Stephen A.. "I know he got a lot in him, I didn't know he had that in him.

"Selfish? LeBron? Oh my Lord. Did you bring it this morning. You're damn right he's selfish, you're damn right he was.

"There's no way around this, you're gonna sit up there and announce before the game when (commissioner) Adam Silver doesn't have time to announce a replacement.

"And giving props to Draymond, Jalen Rose, Vince Carter. All three of them pointed that out. They said the same exact thing the minute it was discovered."

James is hoping to return in time for the Lakers' clash with the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

"I was hoping it would feel a lot better this morning but it's not where I want it to be," he said.

"And with 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild west, I felt like it was very important for me to take care of myself and understand what's coming on. 

"It is maintenance but at the same time I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury that I've been dealing with for years.

"So I hope to be available on Wednesday... so I'm headed back to LA tonight. There will be no vacation for me. 

"Back to rehab tomorrow, get ready for practice on Tuesday and hopefully I can play against Charlotte on Wednesday and against Portland on Thursday. It's a big stretch for us."