LeBron James addressed his ongoing dispute with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on March 26, 2025. The basketball star used the platform to clarify the nature of their confrontation.
The incident in question occurred at Madison Square Garden, New York City, during the Lakers’ 113-109 victory over the New York Knicks on March 6. Reports indicate that James confronted Smith courtside in response to Smith’s previous comments about James’ son, Bronny.
In his remarks, James stated that Smith misunderstood their encounter. He acknowledged that sports commentators are expected to criticize players’ performances but emphasized that personal attacks, particularly involving family, are off-limits. James said he felt a duty to protect his family and teammates from such commentary.
James also criticized Smith for frequently discussing the incident in the media. “He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now,” James remarked, noting Smith’s eagerness to discuss the confrontation once video footage was available.
The feud traces back to Smith’s remarks on the January 29 episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” where he suggested that Bronny James was in the NBA due to his father’s influence. Smith pleaded with LeBron to “stop this” regarding his son’s career.
Smith has continued to discuss the event on various platforms, including the “Gil’s Arena” podcast. He recounted how James confronted him about his remarks on Bronny, emphasizing his familial ties.
Smith stated he would have defended himself had James escalated the situation physically, although he admitted he was not in a position to retaliate at the time.
Smith maintains that his comments on Bronny were purely professional, focusing on the young player’s readiness for the NBA. He accused LeBron of misleading the public about his true reasons for being upset.
There are suggestions that LeBron’s actions may be influenced by Smith’s refusal to acknowledge him as the greatest basketball player, as Smith has consistently favored Michael Jordan in that debate.
Bronny James is currently splitting his time between the NBA and the G League in his rookie season with the Lakers, who drafted him in the second round in 2024. The 20-year-old has played in 23 games this season, averaging 2.3 points per game.
In a notable performance, Bronny recorded 17 points, three rebounds, and five assists in a March 20 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. He followed up with 39 points in a G League game for the South Bay Lakers on March 25.
Bronny acknowledged the impact of public criticism, stating it sometimes “fuels” his motivation. “People think I’m a robot,” he said, discussing how the scrutiny pushes him to work harder.
During the interview, LeBron spoke about his dual role as Bronny’s father and teammate, expressing pride in his son’s progress and his desire to see Bronny “thrive” on the court, regardless of statistics.
Smith’s perspective on Bronny seems to have softened following the rookie’s recent performances. He had suggested more time in the G League was necessary, but later praised Bronny’s game against the Bucks, indicating he could be ready for the NBA sooner than initially thought.