Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James got into what appeared to be a heated confrontation with ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith after his team’s overtime victory over the New York Knicks.
James confronted Smith courtside, appearing visibly upset in a tense exchange captured on video. The 50,000-point scorer was clearly agitated and vice versa, as Smith shook his head and sat down while LeBron stomped off.
The incident followed a standout performance by James, who scored 31 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out eight assists, helping the Lakers rally from a fourth-quarter deficit.
It was a big win over a top team in the Eastern Conference, but everyone was talking about the interaction between James and Smith. The confrontation has sparked widespread attention, amplifying their ongoing media feud.
OH SH*T ‼️
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) March 7, 2025
NO MORE TWITTER FINGERS 👀
LEBRON WENT STRAIGHT UP TO STEPHEN A. SMITH AND CHECKED HIM FACE TO FACE 😭
pic.twitter.com/nL6f8sozlP
What Were LeBron James And Stephen A Smith Talking About?
While it would be difficult to ascertain what was being said, that never stopped people on the internet before. And it didn’t stop them from speculating yet again.
Some on X who claimed to be lip-reading experts suggested James had an issue with commentary about his son Bronny.
“Keep my son out of this s–, bro,” they suggested James said.
Which would be absolutely absurd if this entitled NBA player, who was granted a Make-a-Wish by having his untalented son drafted into the NBA, was suggesting an NBA analyst couldn’t comment on the situation that everybody knows is a farce.
Smith pleaded with LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers several weeks ago to end the failed Bronny experiment.
“I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: stop this. Stop this,” he said. “We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”
Nothing about what was said was out of bounds. Or inaccurate, for that matter.
Stephen A. Smith got me IN TEARS talking about Bronny lmaoo
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) January 29, 2025
"I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this." pic.twitter.com/bcFD3Vj9nb
RELATED: Stephen A. Smith Says LeBron James ‘Ruined the Product’ Of the NBA
Smith Responds
Stephen A. Smith was also critical of Lebron James over his recent clownish behavior surrounding the All-Star game and playing an integral role in ruining other events.
The ESPN commentator also shredded LeBron for ruining the All-Star game experience this year for 31-year-old veteran Norman Powell and claimed the so-called King “ruined the Slam Dunk Contest.”
Smith, on Friday, seemed to confirm that the confrontation with James had, in fact, involved Bronny.
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me,” he said. “That was a parent, that was a father. I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard.”
Yahoo Sports reports that Smith “went on to say that he would never speak negatively about Bronny James.”
This is flat-out dumb. LeBron put his kid in a position to fail, and an NBA analyst has every right to point out that he’s failing. The league should fine James for trying to intimidate a reporter into false coverage.
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