LeBron James, the star forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith have found themselves at the center of a dramatic and ongoing exchange that has captured the attention of basketball fans and sports commentators alike. The situation took another unexpected twist recently when Smith aimed another pointed remark at the NBA icon, further intensifying their tumultuous saga.
James stirred up the basketball community during the 113-109 win against the New York Knicks by directly confronting Smith. He warned Smith about his ongoing criticism of his son, Bronny James. Following this incident, there were several exchanges during interviews. Recently, Smith escalated the situation by questioning James’s GOAT status.
“Nobody was gonna impede Kobe,” Smith said in the recent episode of First Take. “Nobody was gonna impede MJ. Nobody was gonna impede Duncan… But him? I believe he would’ve been impeded—which is why I have Jordan.”
Stephen A. says LeBron isn’t the GOAT because he let others get in his way
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 26, 2025
“Nobody was gonna impede Kobe. Nobody was gonna impede MJ. Nobody was gonna impede Duncan … But him? I believe he would’ve been impeded—which is why I have Jordan”
(@FirsTake)
pic.twitter.com/NnnzzKpdPn
Smith stated that James isn’t the greatest of all time (GOAT) because he allowed others to hinder his success. Both individuals are well-known figures in the sports world, so their ongoing back-and-forth has become a widely discussed topic across various media platforms.
LeBron James Opens Up About His Confrontation With Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith has repeatedly critiqued Bronny James after the Lakers’ selection of him in the 2024 NBA Draft. However, these criticisms sparked a vibrant reaction during the intense confrontation between James and Smith. Excitingly, James recently appeared on the Pat McAfee Show, where he took the opportunity to discuss the incident and share his thoughts.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
“He completely missed the whole point. The whole point. Never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport, criticize players about what they do on the court. That is your job to criticize… That is all part of the game. But when you take it and when you get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my d— household but protect the players,” James said.
“Stephen A Smith is on a Taylor Swift tour run right now 😂😂
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
He completely missed the whole point..
He got personal with it and it’s my job to not only protect my own household but also all the players” @KingJames #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/LKKFmvtFWM
The Lakers currently hold the 5th spot in the Western Conference standings with a -28 record. They will play their next game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge FieldHouse.
Also Read: LeBron James Catching Major Backlash For How He Treats “Black Media”
