Stephen A. Smith Responds to LeBron’s Heated Courtside Confrontation: “He Could Have Called Me!”

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James had a heated confrontation with ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith during Thursday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. The incident, which quickly went viral, stemmed from Smith’s recent criticism of LeBron’s son, Bronny James, and his performance in the NBA.

LeBron Confronts Smith Courtside

As LeBron took a brief moment near the sideline, he unexpectedly approached Stephen A. Smith, who was sitting courtside. According to Smith, LeBron did not mince words when addressing his frustrations over the way Bronny had been discussed on ESPN’s First Take. The Lakers star was clearly speaking as a father first, rather than as a four-time NBA champion.

“[He came up to me] unexpectedly I might add, to confront me about making sure that I mind what I say about his son,” Smith said on First Take Friday morning. “Can’t repeat the words because they aren’t suited for FCC airwaves, but that’s what he was doing… That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father.”

Witnesses described the exchange as intense but controlled, with LeBron making his feelings clear without escalating the situation further. While some fans speculated that security may have intervened, reports suggest the conversation remained a direct but private one between the two men.

LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith sharing some words after the game tonight

Looks like Bron’s telling him “keep my son out of this sh**.” 👀

(h/t @LADEIG, via @legendofwinning) pic.twitter.com/QyOBAWO0p1

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 7, 2025

Smith’s Previous Comments About Bronny

The tension between LeBron and Smith traces back to the First Take episode on January 29, the day after Bronny James played a career-high 15 minutes and 26 seconds against the Philadelphia 76ers. Bronny struggled offensively, going 0-of-5 from the field and missing all three of his three-point attempts.

Smith did not hold back in his analysis, stating that Bronny does not belong in the NBA at this stage in his career.

“I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be toward LeBron James, one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball,” Smith said on the show. “I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”

Smith acknowledged that Bronny has potential but argued that he should be developing his game in the G League rather than taking up a roster spot in the NBA.

“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 added. “I am rooting for Bronny James… He’s a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best.”

LeBron’s Protective Instincts as a Father

LeBron James has never shied away from supporting his children, and this latest incident is another example of his fierce commitment to his family. Over the years, LeBron has been vocal about Bronny’s basketball journey, ensuring that his son receives opportunities to grow as a player while also dealing with immense pressure due to his last name.

For LeBron, the criticism from analysts like Smith goes beyond basketball. It’s personal. While he is used to taking heat himself, he is not willing to let outside voices dictate the narrative surrounding his son’s career.

Smith acknowledged this dynamic in his response on Friday, reiterating that he understands why LeBron reacted the way he did.

“By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very deeply about his son,” Smith said. “Based on some of the comments that he had heard—or shall I say he thought he heard—he clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say, and he confronted me about it.”

Smith Responds to the Public Confrontation

While Smith made it clear that he respects LeBron’s role as a father, he did not back down from his stance on Bronny’s current place in the NBA. He also noted that LeBron could have reached out to him privately if he wanted to address the issue before taking it to a public setting.

“For the record, his agent and friend Rich Paul has my number,” Smith said. “Maverick Carter who works under him has my number. LeBron James knows how to get in contact with me if he wanted to. He never called because if he had called and wanted to talk to me, I would have accepted that call. Had he wanted to see me, I would have flown out and seen him, had a conversation man-to-man. But that is not what he elected to do. Instead, he elected to confront me while I was sitting courtside… He walked right up to me, and he said what he had to say.”

Smith’s comments suggest that while he respects LeBron’s passion for defending his son, he does not believe the confrontation was necessary. The veteran analyst has built his career on delivering strong opinions, and he made it clear that he will not shy away from calling things as he sees them.

Stephen A. Smith addresses this moment with LeBron on First Take in full:

"When you're raised as a journalist professionally, you don't want enemies, but you aren't paid to make friends" https://t.co/4kh3UlOgQg pic.twitter.com/Jh1G9oNNra

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 7, 2025

A Debate That Will Continue

LeBron’s courtside confrontation with Smith has sparked a heated debate among fans and analysts. Some believe that Smith’s comments about Bronny were justified, as he is now an NBA player and should be evaluated like any other prospect. Others argue that analysts should be more mindful when discussing young athletes, especially those under immense pressure due to their family ties.

Bronny’s development remains a work in progress, and only time will tell if he can carve out a successful NBA career. Meanwhile, LeBron’s actions serve as a reminder that no matter how accomplished he is on the court, his most important role will always be as a father.

This story is still developing, and it remains to be seen whether Smith and LeBron will continue this conversation privately or if it will spill into further public discourse.