Stephen A. Smith admits feud with LeBron James continues
- The incident between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James occurred during a March 2025 game.
- Smith disclosed their mutual dislike, clarifying that it influenced their public interactions.
- He pledged to cover LeBron objectively, regardless of their personal feelings.
In March 2025, an unexpected confrontation between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James took place during a game between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. The interaction became viral when LeBron expressed concerns regarding Smith's comments about his son, Bronny, which had been critical of the Lakers' management of Bronny's playing time. Despite addressing the incident in an interview, Stephen A. revealed that the underlying issue was their mutual dislike for each other. He stated, 'I don’t like him, and he don’t like me,' while maintaining that he would cover James objectively regardless of their personal feelings. Stephen A. acknowledged that during their face-to-face exchange, LeBron used the situation with his son as a pretext for a confrontation. In his comments, he clarified that he was not criticizing Bronny, but LeBron’s response was rooted in their fraught relationship. Despite the confrontation, Smith affirmed his role as a sports commentator, indicating that he will not shy away from discussing LeBron's performance in his broadcasts. The dynamic between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James reflects a broader tension in sports media, where personal relationships sometimes bolster public narratives. Smith expressed that he respects LeBron as a player, stating, 'He’s one of the greatest players who’s ever lived.' He also committed to covering LeBron's career objectively; he would applaud great performances and critique less impressive ones. As summer approaches in 2025, the friction between them is likely to persist, with the NBA offseason promising ongoing discussions and analysis. The rivalry encapsulates not just the issues of personal feelings in sports commentary, but also the expectations on journalists to remain impartial while navigating their relationships with the athletes they cover. While both figures have made statements following their viral confrontation, the real challenge may lie in how they choose to engage in the public sphere moving forward.