ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith discussed his encounter with LeBron James before the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the New York Knicks in LA on Thursday night.
Smith characterized the interaction as a “confrontation” rather than a conversation on Friday’s “First Take,” revealing that James was upset about comments made regarding his son, Bronny.
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The exchange was brief, with James reportedly telling Smith to “keep my son out of this s***, bro.”
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me,” Smith remarked on Friday. “That was a parent, that was a father. I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard. By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son. Based on some of the comments that he had heard, or shall I say I think he thought he heard, clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say and he confronted me about it.”
Smith clarified that he would never speak negatively about Bronny James and that his remarks were directed towards LeBron and the unique position his son was in playing on the same team as him.
In January, Smith urged James to allow Bronny more time for development in the G-League.
“We love what we’re seeing from [Bronny] in the G League, because that’s where you belong, as you hone your skills and you get better and you legitimately earn, which I believe he has the potential to do,” Smith said. “I am rooting for Bronny James … he’s a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best.”
While Smith defended LeBron’s reaction as a father, he stood by his criticisms.
“I also get paid to call it like I see it. And what I said at the time, I stand by what I said,” Smith stated. “It wasn’t even reporting. The facts were out there. And what I was saying about LeBron is fact-based because of what he said and the things that he said leading up to his son being drafted and ultimately being in the NBA on the same team as him… there is no way around that. And when you’re raised as a journalist professionally, you don’t want enemies, but you ain’t paid to make friends. You’ve gotta call it like you see it.”
This was the latest exchange between James and Smith following their recent debate on the “face of the NBA” and Smith’s objections to James’ comments about how the league is covered.