The ongoing feud between ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and NBA superstar LeBron James shows no signs of letting up. On March 26, Smith took to his live YouTube show to continue discussing the tension between the two, elaborating on the now-infamous confrontation between them that occurred on March 6.
Smith’s comments were candid and direct. He claimed that had LeBron James made physical contact with him during the encounter, the situation would have escalated quickly. “Let me state for the record that while we bring up that, let me assure you it wouldn’t have gone down like that,” Smith said. “I would have gotten my ass kicked because had that man put his hands on me, I would have immediately swung on him. Immediately. That, I’m not going to tolerate.”
While Smith acknowledged the possibility of losing the altercation, he insisted that he would have reacted swiftly to any aggression from James. “But I knew he wasn’t going to do something like that,” he added, signaling his confidence that the situation wouldn’t have gotten physical.
Smith Responds to LeBron’s Social Media Post
On First Take the following day (March 27), Smith continued to express his thoughts on LeBron‘s social media antics. James had recently shared a video of Smith boxing, which was taken over a decade ago when Smith had two torn rotator cuffs. The video, according to Smith, was “embarrassing,” but he took it in stride.
“Even though I like it to be left up there because if people think I want to throw hands like that, that’s how I throw hands, knock yourself out,” Smith remarked. “I’m good with that. I know that the man today is not the man that I was a decade ago, physically and beyond. I can tell you that.”
Smith implied that James was overly sensitive about the ongoing public discussions. “So, we get that out the way. Why do I bring that up? Because that’s how petty you’ve become? You’re LeBron James. You’re that butt hurt over the things that I’m saying that you would post that video,” Smith said. “When has LeBron James ever done something like that? But suddenly you’re doing that as it pertains to me. This man is in his feelings. I wonder why?”
LeBron James Responds to Stephen A. Smith’s Criticism
Smith’s comments come in the aftermath of LeBron James addressing the ongoing tension in an interview with Pat McAfee. During the interview, James expressed his frustration with Smith’s continual commentary on the issue, suggesting that Smith was milking the confrontation for attention.
“He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now,” James joked, referring to the way Smith has consistently spoken about him. “It started with, ‘I didn’t want to address it … but since the video came out I feel the need to address it.”
James went on to explain that he felt Smith’s criticism went beyond the basketball court and became personal, particularly regarding Smith’s comments on James as a father. “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,” James explained. “That is your job to criticize, or to be in a position where if a guy’s not performing, you know? That’s all part of the game.”
However, James made it clear that he takes offense when the criticism shifts to personal matters, including his family. “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,” James asserted.
The Escalating Smith-James Feud: What’s Next?
The back-and-forth between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James has clearly escalated, with both sides firmly standing their ground. Smith’s continued remarks about James, particularly his claims of physical retaliation, have only added fuel to the fire. Meanwhile, James has responded by critiquing Smith’s motives and reiterating his role in protecting his family from personal attacks.
It seems unlikely that this feud will settle anytime soon, with both parties unrelenting in their stances. As the rivalry between the ESPN personality and NBA legend unfolds, fans can only wait to see how this high-profile dispute continues to play out in the public eye.
