LeBron James Gets In Reporter’s Face In Heated Blow-Up

During the Lakers’ overtime victory against the New York Knicks, LeBron James confronted ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith in a tense courtside exchange, visibly challenging the veteran analyst over recent remarks about his son, Bronny James.

Smith had previously suggested that Bronny’s path to the league was influenced more by his father’s status than his own performance, adding that the young guard might benefit from further development in the G League. Following the confrontation, Smith addressed the incident on First Take, acknowledging LeBron’s frustration as a protective father but defending his stance as a journalist.

“That was LeBron James coming up to me—unexpectedly, I might add—to confront me about making sure that I mind what I say about his son. Can’t repeat the words because they ain’t suited for FCC airwaves. That’s what he was doing,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take.

“I had no intentions, Molly, of talking about this at all—yeah. And the reason why is because it was a one-on-one. I wouldn’t say a conversation, but it was a one-on-one confrontation,” Smith continued.

“It was unavoidable, and that is why I have to discuss it now. That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father. And I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard.”

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

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Fans and analysts were quick to react to the heated exchange between LeBron and Stephen A. “Doesn’t take courage to confront someone much older and smaller than you,” one user wrote on X.

“Stephen A doesn’t look so high and mighty now that he got confronted face to face,” joked another.

Bronny James’ journey to the NBA has been mired in controversy, with many questioning whether his path was paved more by his father’s influence than his own talent. As the son of LeBron James, Bronny was heavily promoted throughout his high school and college career, earning a spot as a McDonald’s All-American in 2023 despite modest stats.

His single season at USC was underwhelming, yet he still found himself selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by none other than the Los Angeles Lakers—conveniently allowing him to join his father. Reports indicated that Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul, actively discouraged teams from drafting him, making it clear that Bronny would rather play overseas than join a team other than the Lakers.

The early results were somewhat disastrous.

That’s when ESPN’s Stephen A., a longtime LeBron supporter, publicly urged him to reconsider keeping Bronny in the league, warning that he is being set up for failure under the harsh scrutiny of professional basketball.

However, Bronny has shown glimpses of potential in the G League, notably scoring 30 points in a South Bay Lakers game.