Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith have been feuding for a while now. Smith has always been a harsh critic of James, but the four-time MVP has kept quiet until earlier this month when he confronted Smith at a Lakers game.
James reportedly berated Smith for pleading with James “as a father” on ESPN’s First Take and claiming that Bronny James didn’t belong in the NBA.
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Ever since, Smith has a appeared on a number of different platforms to criticize James further for the incident. During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, James compared Smith’s antics to a Taylor Swift tour.
“He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now. It started off with, ‘I didn’t want to address it. I wasn’t going to address it. But since the video came out, I feel the need to address it.’ Are you kidding me? If there’s one person that couldn’t wait for the video to drop so you can address it, it’s your a**.”
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James continued, explaining more about why he feels the need to respond.
“He completely missed the whole point, the whole point. Never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport and criticize players about what they do on the court. That is your job. To criticize, or to, you know, be in a position where if a guy is not performing, that is all part of the game. But when you take it, and you get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my damn household, but protect the players.”
It’s obvious that James and Smith are still on bad terms and may be from here on out. Given Smith’s occupation as a T.V. personality along with James’ outspoken responses, this beef could last a while.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
