Renowned sports commentator Stephen A. Smith has once again sparked controversy after revealing new details about his heated confrontation with LeBron James on the court. The altercation took place during the Los Angeles Lakers' victory over the New York Knicks.
The moment when the NBA star confronted the analyst for his constant criticisms of his son, Bronny James, quickly went viral on social media a few days ago, and now it is Smith who has decided to bring back the issue to reveal some details that were previously unknown to NBA fans.
Stephen A. Smith speaks again about his altercation with LeBron James
During a recent appearance on the podcast “Gil’s Arena,” Smith spoke openly about what happened and described LeBron’s attitude as “weak.” "I thought it was nonsense. But at that moment, I knew I was listening to a father‚" the commentator said, reaffirming his critical stance on Bronny’s career in the NBA.
The conflict between them started when Smith suggested on ESPN that Bronny James was not ready for the league and that his inclusion in the draft was solely due to his father’s influence. His comments sparked a great controversy in the sports community, with divided opinions on whether the young man has truly benefited from nepotism or if he deserves his place based on his own merit.
LeBron James, who has been a strong advocate for his son, apparently reached his limit with these statements and decided to confront Smith in person. According to witnesses and lip readers, LeBron told the commentator: “Keep my son out of this, brother,” showing his clear annoyance.
The conflict between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James continues to grow
In Friday’s edition of ESPN’s “First Take”, Smith tried to soften his tone, admitting that he understood LeBron’s position as a father. However, later on Gilbert Arenas' podcast, he once again challenged the narrative presented by LeBron, asserting that he never personally attacked Bronny, but simply questioned his preparedness for the NBA.
This altercation revives the debate about the role of the media in shaping the image of young athletes and to what extent analysts' comments can influence their careers. While some defend Smith’s objectivity, others believe that his words could unfairly harm Bronny.