Tensions between Stephen A. Smith and NBA superstar LeBron James have escalated to the point of no return, according to the ESPN commentator, as what began as disagreements over on-court analysis has grown into a personal feud.
It’s one between the journalist and the Los Angeles Lakers star that Smith believes cannot be healed, following an escalation during the 2024/25 NBA season when the reporter hit out at Bronny James.
Smith has consistently maintained that his critiques were strictly basketball-related, the four-time champion took exception and even confronted him during an NBA game to air his grievances.
“And to me, what he did when he confronted me in the third quarter in the middle of the game court side,” Smith told The Dan Le Batard Show. “Blaming me for something I did not do…
“And then tried to turn it into me being somebody that would go after somebody’s family and then coming on the Pat McAfee show thereafter just to insult me. That’s a line you don’t get to come back from.”
Smith has stressed that his commentary on Bronny never targeted the James family personally, pointing to past praise for LeBron‘s wife, Savannah, as “the First Lady of the NBA” whilst he also described LeBron‘s mother as “an absolutely wonderful woman.”
When addressing Bronny, Stephen A. argued he was merely evaluating him as a player, no different than any other NBA prospect, and later gave the 20-year-old his flowers after a performance against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bronny recorded 17 points and five assists against the Milwaukee Bucks, and Smith admitted he had underestimated the young guard – going as far as to admit he “might have been wrong” to write him off so early.
Despite those acknowledgments, Smith insists that LeBron mischaracterized his intentions as the 57-year-old broadcaster believes that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer crossed a line by framing the criticism as a personal attack on his family. That’s now how James sees it, however.
“He completely missed the whole point. The whole point,” LeBron said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport and criticize players about what they do.
“But when you take it and you get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my damn household, but protect the players.”
LeBron James reacts to Derrick Rose announcement
LeBron James and Derrick Rose built a competitive rivalry that later evolved into mutual respect as during Rose‘s peak with the Chicago Bulls, he and LeBron clashed repeatedly in the Eastern Conference.
Rose even became the youngest MVP in league history in 2011, around the same time LeBron was beginning to hit his peak, and even years later, the two shared a locker room when Rose briefly joined the Cleveland Cavaliers.
From enemies to teammates, their bond was strengthened and now following the Bulls’ announcement that Rose‘s No. 1 jersey would be retired, LeBron reacted on social media with rose, clapping, and praise-hand emojis.
His response reflected admiration for Rose‘s journey and recognition of his lasting impact on Chicago basketball.
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