During a recent podcast appearance, Stephen A. Smith spoke candidly about his strained relationship with LeBron James. The sports analyst explained that any chance of reconciliation with the NBA star has ended.
Stephen A. Smith comments on LeBron James beef
Stephen A. Smith opened up about his feud with LeBron James during an appearance on Gilbert Arenas’ Gil’s Arena podcast.
According to Smith, the situation is straightforward. “There’s no situation, and there’s no relationship. He doesn’t like me, and I don’t like him,” he said. While stressing that he avoids bringing James up unless it relates to basketball, Smith explained that answering questions about him is part of his professional responsibility. He said, “Now some people say ‘Well why do you talk about him?’ Because I was asked, and this is what I do for a living, so how the hell am I going to get away with saying ‘No comment?’”
Smith also reflected on a confrontation that took place during a game earlier this year, when James approached him courtside after Smith supposedly made remarks involving James’ son, Bronny. The heated exchange went viral, with both later clarifying their perspectives in separate interviews. According to Smith, that moment, along with James’ criticism of him on The Pat McAfee Show, was the “last straw.”
While tensions between them remain high, Smith referred to James as “the second greatest player in the history of basketball.” The ESPN host also clarified that he intends to keep his coverage strictly professional moving forward. He said, “I’m never going to denigrate any employer, any partner, or myself by getting into anything excessively, unnecessarily, when it comes to him or anybody else.”
Smith concluded his remarks with, “But if I never, ever speak to him again in life, that will be OK. And I’m good with it.”
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on Mandatory.
