*LeBron James recently addressed his viral courtside confrontation with ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, clarifying his stance on the incident and calling out Smith for publicizing their dispute. The altercation took place during a Lakers game against the New York Knicks, where James confronted Smith over comments made about his son, Bronny.
According to Smith, James told him, “Stop f—ing with my son. That’s my f—ing son. Stop f—ing with my son.” James later discussed the situation on The Pat McAfee Show, expressing frustration that Smith made the confrontation public, per SI.com.
“He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now,” James said. “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.’ Motherf—er, are you kidding me? If there’s one person who couldn’t wait for the video to drop so you could address it, it’s your a–.”
James emphasized that targeting players personally, especially their families, crosses a line.
“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.”
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“Stephen A Smith is on a Taylor Swift tour run right now ??
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
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
Beyond his feud with Smith, James also shared insight into his relationship with basketball legend Michael Jordan. Despite idolizing Jordan and wearing No. 23 in his honor, James revealed they don’t have a close relationship, largely due to Jordan’s competitive nature and James still being active in the NBA.
“We’re in a good spot. We don’t talk … because I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now,” James said, adding that Jordan’s intense competitiveness likely plays a role. “Until I’m done, and he doesn’t have to look at me run up and down wearing the No. 23, and every time my name is mentioned it’s mentioned with his, he’s like, ‘I don’t want to f—— talk to you.'”
James reflected on Jordan’s influence, noting how key figures in sports and entertainment, including Jordan, Jay-Z, and Tupac, inspired him growing up. “I wear 23 because of M.J. and that inspiration that he gave me as a kid in Akron, Ohio.”
Watch his full remarks in the X clip below.
“Me & Michal Jordan are in a good spot..
I hope that we talk more when I’m done playing..
Me & Kobe never had a real relationship until we were at the Olympics together..
We were like family once he retired & I became a Laker..
MJ doesn’t wanna talk to me until I’m done” ??… pic.twitter.com/axbmfJJvQk
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Stephen A. Smith Accuses LeBron James of Blocking His Appearance on ‘The Shop’
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