Stephen A. Smith is reacting with grace after being confronted by NBA icon LeBron James.
The sports commentator not only endured watching his beloved New York Knicks lose to the Los Angeles Lakers 109-113 on Thursday, but he got a thorough dressing-down before vacating his courtside seat when James confronted him over comments about his son.
The Lakers picked 20-year-old Bronny James in the 2024 NBA draft, which Smith decried in January with a plea to LeBron James “as a father” to stop his son from joining the NBA prematurely — after arguing that the related media scrutiny is the elder James’ “fault.”
Their confrontation at the Crypto.com Arena was captured by fans in the crowd and has since gone viral on social media. The “First Take” ESPN co-host said on Friday’s show that he had “no intention” of discussing the matter, but he ultimately did so.
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me,” Smith said. “That was a parent.”
“That was a father,” he continued. “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 he had heard, or shall I say he thought he heard, he clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say,” the ESPN personality argued about their viral conversation. “He confronted me about it.”
Smith was seated next to none other than “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Larry David, for whom the sudden argument might have felt like a surreal moment from his show. On social media, sleuths tried their best to decipher what exactly was said.
“I can’t repeat the words because they ain’t suited for FCC airwaves,” Smith said Friday.
Allen Berezovsky via Getty Images
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While he then seemingly doubled down on his criticisms and called Bronny James “a rookie” who needs “some time to get himself together” as a pro player, Smith also said he understands where LeBron James “was coming from” — and added: “I get it. I’m not offended. I’m not insulted.”
LeBron James is one of the most decorated basketball stars of all time and has led his previous teams, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well the Lakers to four championship titles since 2012. At 40 years old, he’s one of the oldest players in the NBA.
His player statistics and fatherly pride also prove he’s one of the most devoted ones.
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