The Stephen A. Smith/LeBron James beef is reaching all-time ratings.
Smith continues to fire shots at the four-time NBA Champion on ESPN’s First Take.
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He called out James for missing Kobe Bryant’s memorial service among other things. James criticized Smith on Wednesday via the Pat McAfee Show, stating that Smith overly critiques players. The author of Straight Shooter did not take that kindly and mentioned James better be happy that he did not bring up other things. Smith then proceeds to mention those aspects on air.
Stephen A. Smith on LeBron James: “I suggest that he be happy with the things that I haven’t brought up. I never brought up really and never really discussed why you were not at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service. I never really brought up or discussed why you did not attend Dwyane… pic.twitter.com/Wji02Zidej
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 27, 2025
“I never brought up really, I never discussed why you were not at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service,” Smith said.
On his show, the Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith said he could understand James feeling devastated about Bryant’s death, but he still doesn’t understand why James did not attend the memorial.
“I pretty sure LeBron had his reasons for not coming. I am sure he was devastated. He loved Kobe, we get that, but I cannot believe we did not see him there. Magic [Johnson] was there, [Michael] Jordan was there, Steph Curry was there, Dwayne Wade was there … the NBA community was in attendance. We did not see LeBron James. Two of the most conspicuous, biggest moments for completely different moments and in Kobe’s case, absolutely tragic reasons, we did not see the face of LeBron James. The face of the league. One of the most preeminent faces in the world of sports. When we turn around and ask these questions, it’s like throwing shade. It is not throwing shade. It is recognizing his greatness and wondering why?”
Stephen A. Smith says he would have ‘swung on’ LeBron James if he put hands on him
James and Bryant were great friends and competitors.
They competed on the court together, in all-star games, and the Olympics. Both won a gold medal for the 2008 “Redeem Team,” yet James was not at Bryant’s memorial. Smith held James accountable for that as the beef continues to get hotter.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.
