LeBron James spoke on ESPN on March 26, 2025, addressing his ongoing conflict with Stephen A. Smith during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

The dispute originated on March 6, when James confronted Smith during the Lakers’ 113-109 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, New York City. James approached Smith in response to Smith’s earlier criticisms of James’ son, Bronny.

In his interview, James insisted that Smith had misread the situation. He explained that while he accepts that sports commentators critique players’ performances as part of their job, he draws the line at personal attacks, particularly those involving his family.

James criticized Smith for frequently discussing the confrontation in the media, likening him to being on a “Taylor Swift tour run.” He noted that Smith initially claimed he was hesitant to discuss the incident, but later engaged once video evidence became available, suggesting Smith had been waiting for a chance to talk about it.

The conflict began when Smith criticized Bronny James on January 29 on “First Take,” saying, “We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”

Smith has discussed the confrontation in various settings, including the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, where he described James confronting him and demanding he stop criticizing Bronny. Smith claimed he would have “immediately swung” at James if physically provoked, though he acknowledged he was unable to retaliate at the time.

Smith defended his critiques of Bronny as professional and focused on the young player’s NBA readiness, accusing LeBron of misleading the public about his reasons for being upset.

Reports suggest LeBron’s actions might be influenced by Smith’s refusal to recognize him as the greatest basketball player, favoring Michael Jordan instead.

Bronny James, 20, in his rookie season, divides his time between the NBA and the G League. Drafted by the Lakers in 2024, he has appeared in 23 games, averaging 2.3 points per game.

Bronny achieved a career-high of 17 points, three rebounds, and five assists in a March 20 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He later scored 39 points in a South Bay Lakers G League match on March 25.

Bronny has acknowledged the impact of criticism but uses it to motivate himself. “People think I’m a robot,” he said, noting that the scrutiny sometimes “fuels” him to work harder.

In his interview, LeBron, 40, also discussed his dual role as father and teammate to Bronny, expressing pride in his son’s development and desire to see him succeed on the court.

Smith’s stance on Bronny appears to have softened following recent performances. Initially suggesting Bronny needed more G League time, Smith praised his game against the Bucks, acknowledging Bronny might be ready for the NBA sooner than expected.