ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith reignited his conflict with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on Friday during an appearance on the Dan La Batard Show. Smith openly expressed his deep dislike for LeBron and alleged that James or individuals close to him have attempted to undermine his reputation and credibility.
Smith declared,
“I don’t like LeBron… and it’ll probably stay that way forever. Things have gone on behind my back, trying to ruin my reputation and integrity.”
—Stephen A. Smith
Origins of the Dispute Between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James
The ongoing feud traces back to January 28 when Smith, on ESPN’s First Take, questioned Bronny James’s readiness for the NBA, implying that Bronny’s place in the league was primarily due to his father’s influence. LeBron responded during a Lakers versus Knicks game on March 6 by confronting Smith courtside with a direct message that quickly attracted media attention.
Smith described LeBron’s approach as more paternal than professional and noted that he was not offended but would have preferred the matter handled privately. Despite the public exchanges, there has been no official response from LeBron or his representatives since then, and tensions have continued to escalate.
Stephen A. Smith Criticizes LeBron’s Reaction to Lakers’ Strategy on Gil’s Arena
On August 15, Smith addressed LeBron’s behavior concerning the Los Angeles Lakers’ efforts to build around Luka Doncic, calling the Lakers’ approach toward their franchise future into question. Smith argued that the transition was business-oriented and suggested that LeBron’s sensitivity was unwarranted, especially considering his multi-million-dollar salary.
He commented,
“They got new blood. A cat that’s going to be the face of the franchise for the next decade, where he’s contemplating walking away from the game in the next year or two. Last time I checked, that’s business. Secondly, it’s pretty hard to be insulted when you’re being paid $52 million for one year’s work. So you need to get over that.”
—Stephen A. Smith
LeBron James’s Position Amid Lakers’ Recent Changes
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, LeBron is generally supportive of the Lakers’ decision to pivot toward Luka Doncic as their cornerstone but has expressed discomfort with how the transition has been handled. Sources revealed that LeBron has felt sidelined in key decisions, notably the Doncic-Davis trade and the team’s change in ownership, leaving him feeling excluded from significant discussions.
This ongoing discord highlights the tension between LeBron’s influence within the Lakers organization and the franchise’s desire to restructure around new talent, fueling the public disagreements with Stephen A. Smith.
The Broader Impact of the LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith Conflict
The public and persistent nature of the feud between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James underscores a unique clash between media personalities and athletes with enormous platforms. This dispute not only affects their reputations but also reflects larger challenges within sports media and player relations.
As both figures maintain strong positions without signs of reconciliation, the feud is likely to influence future NBA coverage and public perceptions of LeBron James, especially amid the Lakers’ ongoing team changes and the impending 2024 NBA Draft season.