The basketball world was abuzz after a heated exchange between Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith following the Lakers’ thrilling 113-109 overtime victory against the New York Knicks.
According to reports, the altercation stemmed from comments Smith had made about LeBron’s son, Bronny James, who is also a member of the Lakers. Smith had previously suggested that Bronny’s presence in the NBA was largely due to his father’s influence, a statement that did not sit well with LeBron. During the game, cameras captured LeBron approaching Smith and engaging in what appeared to be an intense conversation.
Damn LeBron stepped to Stephen A Smith👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/ZJIDcPU4dL
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) March 7, 2025
While the exact words exchanged remain unclear, lip readers and sources close to the situation suggest that LeBron told Smith,
“Keep my son out of this.”
Smith addressed the incident on his show, “First Take,” the following morning, providing his perspective on the confrontation.
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent, that was a father,” Smith explained.
He acknowledged that LeBron had every right to defend his son and expressed no ill will toward the four-time NBA champion.
Stephen A. Smith addresses this moment with LeBron on First Take in full:
“When you’re raised as a journalist professionally, you don’t want enemies, but you aren’t paid to make friends” https://t.co/4kh3UlOgQg pic.twitter.com/Jh1G9oNNra
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 7, 2025
