Stephen A. Smith Confronted by LeBron James over Bronny Comments
LeBron James Confronts Stephen A. Smith over Comments about Bronny James
It’s said that sometimes the best defense is offense. LeBron James took that approach Thursday night when he confronted Stephen A. Smith courtside at a Lakers game and scolded him, telling him in no uncertain terms to stop talking about Bronny James, LeBron’s son and teammate.
Stephen A. Smith’s Response
Smith, who reportedly has agreed to a five-year, $100-million contract to continue his lengthy career with ESPN, responded Friday morning by opening “First Take” with a subdued explanation of why LeBron James was upset with him.
LeBron’s Confrontation
“That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly I might add, to confront me about making sure I mind what I say about his son,” Smith said. “I can’t repeat the words because they aren’t suited for FCC airwaves.”
Smith’s Reaction
Smith questioned why James chose to confront him at a game at Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers beat the New York Knicks in overtime, rather than privately through a phone call or face-to-face meeting. And he said that he recognized James was speaking not as a “superstar basketball player,” but as a “daddy.”
Main Point
But Smith’s central point was that his earlier criticism had been directed at LeBron, not Bronny, saying, “I was talking about the position [Bronny] was put in by his dad.”
Situation Surrounding Bronny’s Draft
Before Bronny was drafted in June by the Lakers, LeBron made it clear he wanted his son to be his teammate, and Smith was among many journalists who believed the union was forced and placed undue pressure on the then-19-year-old whose only experience beyond high school was 25 games as a role player at USC.
Bronny’s Reaction
For his part, Bronny didn’t express the same enthusiasm, saying at the NBA scouting combine a month before the draft, “My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself, and of course, you know, get to the NBA. … I never thought about just playing with my dad, but of course he’s, he’s brought it up a couple times.”
Smith’s Criticism
Smith paraphrased his reaction to LeBron’s efforts to make sure Bronny was drafted so they could play together, saying, “‘C’mon man, this is the situation you are putting him in.’ That’s where I was coming from.”
Conclusion
Smith, who was sitting at the game with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and actor Larry David, said he recognized that James was “very, very upset,” and declined to respond in such a public setting. “He and I don’t necessarily vibe. … We don’t see eye to eye,” Smith said of James. “Neither of us loses sleep over it. It’s been that way for years. It was like he was saying, ‘Keep that between me and you.’
“As a father, I get it. … If I was in his position, I cannot say definitively that I wouldn’t have done the same thing. I don’t blame him one bit.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did LeBron James confront Stephen A. Smith?
LeBron James confronted Stephen A. Smith over his comments about Bronny James, his son and teammate, and told him to stop talking about him.
What did Stephen A. Smith say about LeBron’s actions?
Smith said that James was speaking not as a “superstar basketball player,” but as a “daddy,” and that he understood why James was defending his child.
What is the current situation with Bronny James in the NBA?
Bronny James has played in 18 games for the Lakers, scoring 25 points in 76 minutes, and has fared better in seven G League games, averaging 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while playing solid defense.
