The tension between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith remains unresolved, as Smith confirmed in a recent interview with Danyel Smith from Rolling Stone. Despite the heated exchange that occurred during a March game between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, Smith insists the conflict is far from over, highlighting the ongoing nature of this high-profile disagreement.
Details of Their March Confrontation and Its Aftermath
The feud escalated when LeBron James confronted Smith courtside amid the Lakers versus Knicks game, which became a viral moment. Stephen A. emphasized that despite the personal clash, he cannot ignore James in his sports coverage. He stated,
“And so I’m not gonna cover the Lakers? I’m not gonna talk about James now? What sense does that make? I have to cover the sport. He’s a big part of the sport, which means I have to cover him, no matter what.”
—Stephen A. Smith
Smith Explains the Root of Their Mutual Dislike
When asked directly about his relationship with James, Stephen A. openly acknowledged the animosity. He said,
“I have nothing to say about that, I don’t like him, and he don’t like me. He’s one of the greatest players who’s ever lived. I’m going to show him that respect, and I’m going to cover him objectively. When he does great, I’m gonna applaud. When he doesn’t do great, I’m not gonna applaud. He hid behind his son [Los Angeles Laker Bronny James], tried to make something out of nothing, as if I was dogging his son, which I was not. The real issue was we don’t like each other. And he used that as an excuse to confront me. I got it.”
—Stephen A. Smith
Ongoing Coverage and Anticipated Future Developments
Both LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith have continued to comment on their dispute since their viral face-off, fueling media attention. With the NBA offseason approaching, the public and fans should expect this feud to persist through the summer months, keeping their contentious relationship in the spotlight. The unresolved tension adds another layer of drama to the sports world, particularly around the Lakers, Bronny James, and broader league coverage.