Stephen A. Smith has revealed that his relationship with LeBron James is strained, citing their differing views on the greatest of all time debate.
“[LeBron James and I] don’t get along… the biggest reason is: I ain’t Shannon Sharpe, it ain’t GOAT status this way,” Smith said on his show, via ClutchPoints. “My GOAT is Michael Jordan… I’m a student of the game. I know a GOAT when I see one.”
The ESPN analyst previously detailed a courtside confrontation with LeBron during a recent Lakers game. According to Smith, James approached him in the third quarter and demanded he stop commenting on Bronny James.
“Yo, you got to stop talking sht about my son,” LeBron allegedly told Smith. “You got to stop fcking with my son. That’s my son!”
Smith, who was seated next to Larry David and Ari Emanuel, was caught off guard. He initially suggested they discuss the matter later, but James repeated his demand before walking away.
While Smith acknowledged LeBron’s emotions as a father, he criticized the way the Lakers star handled the situation. “I thought it was weak. I thought it was emotion. But in the moment, I knew I was listening to a father,” he said.
Smith stated that he had no plans to address the incident publicly until it went viral. He claimed ESPN executives urged him to speak on the matter after the footage gained widespread attention.
The dispute stems from Smith’s past critiques of LeBron’s handling of Bronny’s career. He previously warned that LeBron’s public comments—including his statement that he would play for any team that drafted his son—put unnecessary pressure on Bronny.
“If you do that sh*t, you’re bringing more pressure on your son. LeBron, stop. Stop doing this!” Smith recalled saying before the 2024 NBA Draft.
Smith also pushed back when LeBron claimed Bronny was better than some NBA players while still in high school. “If you go back and look at the tape, back then I said, ‘Stop. You can’t do this.’”
The controversy has drawn pushback from NBA players, including Draymond Green, who has been upset with Smith’s stance.
Smith was further frustrated after hearing LeBron’s comments to Richard Jefferson, claiming the Lakers star misrepresented their exchange in Boston.
The analyst admitted he chose not to escalate the situation at the time, believing it would have turned into a national spectacle. “If I do anything, this [is] going to be a scene,” he said.
He also noted that his position at ESPN, which is owned by Disney, played a role in his decision to let the confrontation pass.
“I work for Walt Disney. And if I had gotten into some sh*t with him at courtside, no matter how right I would have been, it would have been wrong. And I was like, ‘I’m not going to do this.’”
The feud continues as Bronny, the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, plays limited minutes for the Lakers. Smith insists his criticism has never been about Bronny’s talent but rather how LeBron has handled the situation.
