SKIP Bayless has been known for his relentless criticism of LeBron James.

But his recent Victor Wembanyama take has made the show fans claim he might have been a LeBron fan after all.

Undisputed viewers claim Skip Bayless might actually be a LeBron James fan after mentioning the Los Angeles Lakers star in a Victor Wembanyama debateCredit: X/undisputed

Bayless said he didn’t see the same dominance from Wembanyama on his NBA debut as he did from James (picture) even though Skip previously claimed LeBron isn’t feared

Bayless, 71, opened Thursday’s Undisputed with a segment on Wembanyama’s NBA debut.

The veteran sportscaster praised the Frenchman, 19, for his fourth-quarter takeover that let the San Antonio Spurs battle the Dallas Mavericks until the very end before falling 126-119 on Wednesday.

Bayless marveled at the No. 1 pick’s jumper as well as his agility and handles.

But he thought the 7-foot-4 center wasn’t aggressive enough in the paint, playing with the mindset of a guard rather than a big man.

Overall, the FS1 star said he saw too much elegance and not enough “bully ball” in Wemby’s game.

And, Bayless, added his play didn’t seem to instill fear in opponents considering the Mavericks sent the 6-foot-6 Grant Williams to defend him.

The sportscaster then brought up James’ NBA debut in 2003, saying the now-Los Angeles Lakers star looked ready to physically compete even with the league’s stars upon his arrival.

Bayless said: “I was in awe because I’d never seen a kid that young and that so to speak physically immature – you’d think at that point – just step on the NBA floor and say, ‘I’m here. I’ve arrived.’

“Did I see that from Wemby last night? I did not. I didn’t see that where Lebron… people were afraid of him from Day 1.”

The remark caught TV viewers by surprise as Bayless has claimed during numerous NBA GOAT debates that James isn’t feared in the league as much as Michael Jordan was.

And many wondered if the sportscaster actually has more respect for the four-time NBA champion than he likes to show on Undisputed.

“I’m convinced Skip is actually a Bron fan but trash-talking him made life a lot easier for him,” one wrote.

“Skip always loved Bron, but he never wanted to give up the MJ stance,” another added.

“He low-key loves Bron just can’t say it. His pride won’t let him,” a third said.

“He’s only flip-floppy like this when it comes to Jordan vs LeBron debates, but if it was against anyone else Skip would be a whole LeBron stan,” one wrote.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Pat McAfee likened Wembanyama to an alien after watching the Spurs star’s vicious pregame dunk.

McAfee shared a clip of Wemby’s haymaker on social media, calling on NASA to “stop looking” because “we found him.”

Wembanyama ended his NBA debut with 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists in addition to two steals and a block.