On Friday, ESPN’s Stephen Smith stated once and for all what’s really on his mind regarding his ongoing feud with basketball legend LeBron James.
Appearing on the Dan Le Batard Show, Smith expressed a deep-seated animosity toward James, stating simply, “I don’t like him.”
He further claimed that James or his associates have taken actions to damage his reputation and integrity.
Smith also alleged that James has attempted to undermine his credibility as a pundit. While he did not provide specific examples of these alleged efforts, he emphasized that the tension is personal, not professional.
This candid admission marks a rare instance where a high-profile analyst has openly acknowledged animosity toward an active NBA superstar.
Adding fuel to a burning fire
Likewise, LeBron James has made clear his own dislike of Smith. For over a year, James has spoken out about Smith‘s coverage of his son, Bronny James.
James has publicly expressed this frustration, accusing Smith of making personal attacks on his son rather than analyzing his skills as a basketball player.
Smith has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but the tension between the two figures has only intensified.
Smith previously revealed in March on The Stephen A. Smith Show that James had told him to “Stop f-ing with my son, that’s my f-ing son, stop f-ing with my son,” after Smith commented on Bronny‘s performance.
Smith had also previously criticized Bronny James‘ potential entry into the NBA, suggesting that the Lakers should reconsider drafting him.
However, Smith admitted that the encounter was James confronting him not as a basketball player but as a parent.
“That was a father [confronting me]. And I can’t sit here and be angry, or feel slighted by LeBron James and any way in that regard. By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son.”
He continued, “And based on some of the comments that he had heard, or shall I say, I think he thought he heard, he clearly took exception to some of the things that he heard me say, and he confronted me about it.”
Smith and James’ reconciliation remains unlikely
In the aftermath of that confrontation, Smith labeled LeBron a “bully” and a “liar,” accusing him of attempting to silence criticism by leveraging his influence.
As the new NBA season approaches, the dynamics between Smith and James will likely remain a topic of interest for fans and analysts alike, raising questions about the intersection of sports, media, and personal relationships.
Read the full article here
