Stephen A. Smith isn’t done addressing LeBron James over their confrontation during a Los Angeles Lakers game last March 6.
The ESPN analyst already explained that he wasn’t trying to bring Bronny James down with his comments. Instead, he put his father under the spotlight for putting the 20-year-old rookie in a complex position with fans and other analysts.
During Monday’s edition of the “The Stephen A. Smith Show”, the analyst spoke about the father-son duo again.
Stephen A. Smith on why he and LeBron don’t get along:
“I aint Shannon Sharpe, it ain’t GOAT status this way. Michael Jordan is my GOAT… I know a GOAT when I see one.”
(via @stephenasmith, h/t @Thetruth8240)pic.twitter.com/naPkL1h8F0
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 19, 2025
“You see, I don’t run and hide,” he said. “If I’m wrong, I’ll say I’m wrong. If I’m right. I’m right. I was never (expletive) on Bronny James. I wouldn’t do that to the James family. I was talking about one person, and one person only.”
More than that, Smith explained that his relationship with the elder James hasn’t been the best, noting that his position in the GOAT debate has played a key role.
“We don’t get along,” he said. “And there’s a multitude of reasons why, I have alluded to some of them, but we know what the biggest reason is. I ain’t Shannon Sharpe. It ain’t GOAT status this way.
“My GOAT is Michael Jordan. … [James] ain’t my GOAT. I watch the game. I’m a student of the game. I know a GOAT when I see one,” Smith said.
It seems as though LeBron James moved on from this incident, but Smith still has details to share about what transpired between him and the four-time NBA champion behind the scenes.
Their relationship never appeared to be close and the latest developments may have been the final straw for the Lakers superstar.