“We don’t like each other”: Stephen A. Smith opens up on LeBron James fallout, revisits viral confrontation over Bronny criticism

Stephen A. Smith, an ESPN star, recently talked candidly about his tense relationship with LeBron James. He discussed whether he thinks LeBron attempted to harm his career and explained why, while not being his GOAT, he still places him in the top two or three players of all time. Even though the specific moment was brief, it had an impact on the entire league.

LeBron James approached Stephen A. Smith courtside during the Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks game on March 6, 2025, and ordered him to quit disparaging his kid, Bronny. The altercation went viral very fast. It fueled a relationship that Smith now candidly characterizes as broken. Nearly a year later, Smith discussed the fallout in an interview with "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," offering a critical yet candid assessment of the situation as it stands.

Stephen A. Smith reflects on LeBron James feud but acknowledges his greatness

During the podcast, Smith said:

“We don’t like each other. The world needs to know that.. I hope he’s watching. I think he crossed the line with the incident involving his son. I don’t think I did what he said I was doing. I thought that was unfair and a low blow…”

He then said:

“Time heals everything. As I see his career dwindling, it’s important everyone knows that I know how great he is. I know how great he has been for the game of basketball. Anybody who has been that great, people like me have benefited because he gives us something to talk about. He’s provided a certain amount of entertainment that has made an exponential amount of lives better. Just because he and I have a difference, doesn’t mean he’s not a good man..”




Smith clarified that when James publicly criticized him for remarks regarding Bronny's NBA readiness, the conflict escalated into a personal one. Smith stated:

“Did I think he crossed the line with the incident involving his son, where he was telling me not to say anything? Of course I think.. I don’t think I did what he said I was doing. And I thought that was very, very unfair, and it was a low blow.”

Nevertheless, he claimed to have chosen perspective over animosity at the age of 58. He went on to say that he doesn't want to be characterized by personal distaste. He added:

“I’m not interested in walking around bitter and with a grudge.”

James continues to be essential to the league's identity. He managed a Lakers team to a playoff berth in a congested Western Conference while maintaining a high level of performance last season. Smith recognized that magnificence.

Smith also emphasized James's enormous impact. The ESPN personality acknowledged that his own platform has been bolstered by celebrities like James. For the time being, the rivalry is still a part of the NBA's broader discourse, with two influential voices circling the same stage despite their preference for distinct areas of it.

LeBron James fires back at Stephen A. Smith as Bronny debate turns deeply personal

After Smith questioned whether Bronny's opportunity was due to his father's influence and critiqued his NBA minutes, the argument grew more heated. In a public response, LeBron stated,

“That wasn't a basketball player confronting me; that was a parent, and that was a father. And I can't sit here and be angry.. But when you take it and get personal with it, it's my job to not only protect my damn household but protect the players.”

Smith disagreed with that reading and said:

“LeBron James is full of it.. And in this particular instance, as it pertains to his son, he is a liar. And he went on national television... and he lied again.. Because there's one person in this ordeal that's telling the truth, and it's me.”

The conflict has not been settled. Meanwhile, James himself hasn't said anything after Smith's latest comment.


Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.