College Basketball Coach Rips LeBron James For Acting Like 'AAU Parent'

Here’s A Look Inside LeBron James’ Los Angeles Mansion (1:14)

Stephen A. Smith was in Los Angeles for Thursday’s Knicks-Lakers game.

The two teams played a crazy game that went into overtime before the Lakers won by four, 113-109. Luka Doncic continued to be a great fit with the Lakers, finishing with 32 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds.

James was also dynamite in that game, finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.

While James played well, he also got into a heated exchange with Smith while Smith was on the court. He wasn’t happy with Smith about something.

Take a look:

Wonder what LeBron was saying to Stephen A smith here pic.twitter.com/EN50Cth0Mr

— FlightMike (Mikerophone) (@TheFlightMike) March 7, 2025

Wisconsin-Green Bay men’s basketball coach Doug Gottlieb saw the interaction and gave his thoughts on it, saying James handled the situation “like an AAU parent.”

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 12, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

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“There is no world in which a dad (LeBron), who single-handedly makes it so that his son (Bronny) is on an NBA team that he plays on, can accost the biggest name in sports about the analysis of his son,” Gottlieb said. “He’s a sports talker. But his opinion does matter. …Stephen A. felt the wrath of what it’s like to be an AAU coach.”

“There is no world in which a dad (LeBron), who single-handedly makes it so that his son is on an NBA team that he plays on, can accost the biggest name in sports about the analysis of his son…Stephen A. felt the wrath of what it’s like to be an AAU coach.”

🎙️@GottliebShow pic.twitter.com/Dy114BOTWY

— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) March 7, 2025

They were harsh words, but Gottlieb thinks James could’ve done a lot better in the situation.

Smith has made prior comments about Bronny James, LeBron’s son, on ESPN and “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” and some of those comments resurfaced after the two had their heated exchange.

“We gotta be real about what we’re seeing when we talk about Bronny James. I am not a person that had a problem with Bronny James being on the court for the season opener with LeBron James. That was a phenomenal moment, to see your father on the court with his son, who has NBA aspirations, playing together for the first time in NBA history,” Smith said.

“My position has always been that should’ve been the only moment we saw Bronny James in a Lakers uniform this season because he’s not ready. I’m not here to tell you that he won’t be ready, I’m not here to tell you that he won’t be an NBA player, I’m not here to tell you that he should give up his dreams and aspirations, I think the kid’s got potential. I think the kid will be in the NBA one day. I watched him in the G-League doing his thing. I think he’s going to be fine, eventually. But that’s not the case yet.”

The Lakers selected Bronny in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. He has played in 18 games this season, averaging 1.4 points per game.