The mystery surrounding LeBron James‘ attendance at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service in 2020 has resurfaced after ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith made a bold claim questioning whether the Lakers star was actually present. Smith’s comments, which suggested LeBron skipped the ceremony, have stirred controversy.
However, recent reports indicate that Smith’s statement may not be entirely accurate and, if so, adds a new dimension to the feud between himself and LeBron.
During a segment on First Take, Smith implied that LeBron was absent from the public memorial at the Staples Center, implying that his nonappearance was a significant moment. The assertion quickly spread across social media, fueling speculation and criticism.
Some questioned LeBron‘s decision, while others defended him, pointing out that he may have chosen to grieve privately rather than in front of thousands. However, multiple reports now suggest that Smith‘s claim is misleading, and that LeBron was indeed present but avoided public attention.
Conflicting reports emerge
According to sources close to the Lakers, James deliberately stayed out of the camera’s view during the ceremony to grieve in private. Unlike other teammates who were seen during the event, LeBron never appeared in official footage or images, leading to years of speculation about whether he had attended at all. At the time, LeBron declined to confirm or deny his presence, stating only that Bryant‘s passing was deeply personal to him.
Smith‘s comments have drawn significant backlash, with many questioning why he chose to bring up the topic years later. Critics argue that whether LeBron was publicly visible or not does not change the impact of Bryant‘s death on him or the NBA community.
As debate continues, one thing remains clear – LeBron James had an immense amount of respect for Kobe Bryant, and the way he chose to mourn should not be subject to public scrutiny.
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