Stephen A. Smith hasn’t shied away from voicing his disdain for LeBron James since his viral courtside confrontation with the Los Angeles Lakers star in March of 2025 over disparaging comments made about his son, Bronny James.
While both have offered their takes on the controversy, with Smith defending his critique of Bronny ad nauseam, the ESPN personality seized another opportunity to reiterate his feelings, leaving the NBA world confused and exhausted.
Stephen A. Smith Inexplicably Rehashes LeBron James Feud
During an appearance on the latest edition of “Impaulsive with Logan Paul,” Smith spoke in depth about LeBron’s legacy, pushing back on his GOAT case.
The outspoken analyst was later asked what it was like when the 22-time All-Star confronted him at a New York Knicks vs. Lakers game early last year for what LeBron later described as Smith getting “personal” with his blunt criticism of Bronny’s rocky rookie season.
Rather than avoid beating a dead horse, Smith delivered a lengthy recap of the whole saga, hammering home his offense regarding LeBron’s approach to the situation.
“It was very disrespectful. I thought it was really unfair to me because I never did what he implied that I did, and that was my issue,” Smith began.
“… It wasn’t about the kid. I was saying you’re a basketball savant, you’re a basketball genius, one of the greatest players to have ever played this game. You know what’s out there, you know what’s waiting for him. You can’t put him in that position and then ask us, as reporters, to ignore what we’re seeing; we gotta cover it.
“… It was clear that when he rolled up on me, he thought that I went after his son to get at him because I critiqued him. I would never do that. … I wouldn’t go after somebody’s kid. I would never do something like that, and to paint that narrative just because you don’t like the fact that I don’t view you as the GOAT, really pissed me off.”
Smith concluded by noting that he has “answered that question on many occasions” and has already “moved on.” Nevertheless, the NBA community on X was left perplexed as to why the 58-year-old took the time to rehash the drama more than a year later.
“Why is he still talking about this?” former NBA sharpshooter C.J. Miles questioned.
Why is he still talking about this ? https://t.co/703HUvgfTR
— C.J. Miles (@masfresco) April 28, 2026
“Hold on, what year is it again?” parody account LeBronchitis quipped.
hol on what year is it again?
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) April 28, 2026
“Wasn’t that like years ago?” Atlanta Hawks fan account Sleeper Hawks pondered.
Wasn’t that like years ago
— SleeperHawks (@SleeperHawks) April 28, 2026
“It wasn’t about the GOAT thing. Stop shifting the narrative. You disrespected his son, and as a father, he came to defend Bronny. I wouldn’t be shocked if you get confronted again, man. Tbh, someone should slap you for this @stephenasmith,” Lakers fan account @lakeshowreal blasted Smith.
it wasn’t about the goat thing stop shifting the narrative, you disrespected his son and as a father he came to defend bronny
I wouldn’t be shocked if you get confronted again man
Tbh someone should slap you for this @stephenasmith
— 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰ᵀᴹ (@lakeshowreal) April 28, 2026
Smith’s latest defense of his Bronny criticism comes as the now-sophomore guard is carving out quality rotation minutes alongside his father in LA’s first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
With the Lakers up 3-1 and looking to close out Houston during Wednesday’s Game 5 home clash, LeBron may not have the energy to revisit Smith’s antics.
