Stephen A. Smith says the LeBron James feud that’s lingered for more than a year is no longer something he wants to carry around.
On his “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Smith revisited the tension that started after his comments about Bronny James and made it clear he’s moved on from the heat of it all.
“You all know that I've had my issues with LeBron James and vice versa,” Smith said on his “ The Stephen A. Smith Show,” adding, “I do not hate the man.
I was pissed off at one point in time, but I’m thoroughly over that. I’m 59 years old.
Life is short, ain’t got time for all of that.”
He also said he wants no part of dragging the feud out any longer.
“I wish him nothing but the best, and I’m looking forward to covering him as his career comes to an end over the next two years. Hopefully, he’ll win a championship for Philadelphia,” he said.
The back-and-forth traces back to January 2025, when Smith criticized Bronny James on ESPN’s “First Take” and said the young guard should spend time in the NBA G League. He also questioned how Bronny ended up on the Lakers roster, the same team his father had been with since 2018.
Things escalated in March when cameras caught LeBron James confronting Smith during the Lakers’ game against the New York Knicks. The reported issue centered on Smith’s on-air comments about LeBron’s son.
Smith addressed the confrontation the next day on ESPN, calling James “weak” and saying LeBron had turned down a chance to talk privately.
LeBron later responded on “The Pat McAfee Show,” saying Smith was manufacturing drama for attention and publicity.
Smith pushed back again, calling James a “liar” and saying he would have responded physically if James had touched him at the game. James then mocked that claim by posting an older video of Smith boxing.
Earlier this year, Smith told “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” that he and LeBron James “ don’t like each other.” He said James “crossed the line” by confronting him at the Lakers game, but also called him a “good person,” despite their issues.
“Time heals everything. As I see his career dwindling, it’s important everyone knows that I know how great he is. I know how great he has been for the game of basketball,” Smith told Bensinger.
Now, Smith’s latest comments point in a different direction. He says the feud is behind him, and with LeBron nearing the end of his career, he’d rather focus on what comes next than keep the fight going.
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