The Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks in a thrilling encounter. The overtime game had enthralling moments that dazzled the crowd. Luka Doncic hitting a thee over KAT in overtime or even LeBron James’ clutch shots in the fourth quarter. However, that didn’t catch the spotlight as much as a “confrontation” did after the game.
Aside from Spike Lee wearing a Knicks hat, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was also present courtside to watch the game. And over the past week, he has had his indirect excahnge with LeBron James. From saying his comments about not wanting to be the face of the league were unfair to him declaring him the GOAT after reaching 50k points, it’s been an entire circle. However, when the Akron Hammer noticed him courtside, it wasn’t a pleasant meeting.
From a video that went viral, it seemed to be a stand-off. James was assertive and infuriated. The lip readers saw him warning the ESPN analyst to speak about his son, and they were right. “It was all about his son,” Smith confirmed on First Take. The 57 year old wanted to avoid confrontation in that setting.
But he didn’t mind speaking about it on First Take. Rather than a charged rant, this time Stephen A. Smith seemed contained. He didn’t accuse LeBron James for being wrong. However, he did justify his side of things. “I would have said to LeBron James I never would seak negatively about your son. I was talking about, meaning you LeBron James,” Smith said.
.@stephenasmith describes his moment with LeBron James last night at Lakers-Knicks. pic.twitter.com/ZZyUnOOwYZ
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 7, 2025
The analyst clarified he wishes for only great things for the 20 year old Bronny James. What he does take exception to is the way James may have potentially put a target on his son’s back.
“He also had said his son can play on the Lakers right now. He’s better than half the dudes in the NBA. The aftermath of all of this he instructed everybody before the draft if you all want me draft Bronny. Wherever Bronny is at that’s where I will be. I will do whatever it takes to play with my son. It’s not about the money at that point. My point months ago is that because of who you are, one of the top 2 players in the history of basketball in my estimation is an immense amount of pressure that comes with that for his son,” Smith explaiend.
The situation itself is complicated. As a father, LeBron James has the right to protect his son. On the other hand, Smith’s comments haven’t been aimed at bringing Bronny James down. But they also haven’t necessarily been encouraging towards the Lakers rookie.
The post Visibly Shaken Stephen A. Smith Breaks Silence on Fiery LeBron James Confrontation as Unpleasant Bronny Remark Unearths appeared first on EssentiallySports.