Stephen A. Smith isn’t backing down — and he’s making it crystal clear where he stands.
The ESPN “First Take” host didn’t just brush off the viral sideline moment with LeBron James — he doubled down on his stance and explained the whole situation in detail on “Gil’s Arena”, a nearly two-and-a-half-hour interview that’s now making waves again.
If you missed it, check out our full coverage on Stephen A.’s past comments on Bronny James and NBA politics to get the bigger picture.
It all went down during Thursday night’s Lakers vs. Knicks game at Crypto.com Arena. Smith was courtside when LeBron pulled up on him mid-game with some words — and not the friendly kind.
“I thought it was some bulls–t,” Smith said. “But, in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father.”
Yeah, Smith kept it respectful… but you could tell, he wasn’t feeling how it went down.
“You Gotta Stop Talking S–t About My Son” — LeBron Gets Heated
During the third quarter, LeBron approached Smith during a timeout. According to Smith, the Lakers star was all in his face.
“I turn around and he’s right here in my face and says, ‘Yo, you gotta stop talking s–t about my son [Bronny]. You gotta stop f–king with my son. That’s my son, that’s my son!’”
Smith said he tried to de-escalate it, suggesting they talk after the game, but LeBron wasn’t trying to hear that. He doubled down on telling Stephen A. to keep his son’s name out his mouth on national TV.
Smith noticed Bronny looking his way earlier in the game with what he described as a “sad look” on his face — and that stuck with him.
Smith Says He Wasn’t Even Planning to Speak on It… Until He Had To
According to Smith, he didn’t even want to bring this situation to his show. But once the video started making the rounds online, ESPN pushed him to address it on First Take.
And with that new $100 million contract Smith just inked with ESPN, you already know the network wasn’t letting this one slide without some commentary.
LeBron later had another courtside convo — this time with Richard Jefferson during a Celtics game — and that’s when things hit a nerve for Smith again.
Stephen A. Clarifies: “I Was Talking About You, Not Your Son”
Smith didn’t mince words when responding to the way LeBron painted the situation.
“I thought that he misrepresented the argument, I was glad he did,” Smith said on Gil’s Arena. “Because what he was really talking about, which was confirmed with his conversation with Richard Jefferson is that I was talking about him as a father. Had he said that to me, I wouldn’t have been thrown off. I would’ve came right back at him — yes I was, I was talking about you, you did this s–t.”
Smith made it known — his comments weren’t an attack on Bronny, they were aimed at LeBron’s influence on the league and how his son was elevated to the NBA spotlight before truly earning his spot.
Smith on Bronny: “I’m Rooting for Him, But Facts Are Facts”
Despite all the smoke, Smith made it clear that he’s pulling for Bronny to succeed. But he also stressed that his job as a commentator means he can’t ignore the numbers.
After being picked up by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny has bounced between the G League and the main roster — averaging just 1.4 points per game in 18 appearances.
“I can’t ignore it,” Smith said about seeing Bronny’s stats aired on SportsCenter. “Because how am I doing my job if now you’re putting me in a position where because they put the stats up everyone is blowing it up? … How is all that happening but Stephen A. Smith’s got nothing to say? I can’t get away with it.”
Stephen A. Smith: “All of Us Had to Capitulate to Your S–t”
Smith made it plain — his criticism isn’t coming from a place of hate, but from the pressure and politics that come with LeBron’s power in the league.
“I was talking about your ass — you. You did this,” he said. “All of us as reporters, as a league, as an NBA franchise, had to sit back and be quiet and capitulate to your s–t, you did that.”
And just like that, Stephen A. didn’t just defend his comments — he delivered a masterclass in keeping it real, holding folks accountable, and still rooting for the next generation.