Following the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers game on Thursday, March 6, LeBron James appeared to get into a heated confrontation with Stephen A. Smith and now the moment has been addressed on First Take.
At the top of First Take, Smith said that LeBron approached him "unexpectedly" after the game and confirmed speculation that it was about his criticism of Bronny James. "That was LeBron James, coming up to me... to confront me about making sure I made what I say about his son," he said. "Can't repeat the words, because they ain't suited for FCC airwaves. That's what he was doing."
He said that he wasn't going to address the moment, but decided to after the video went viral. "It was a one-on-one confrontation," he said. "That wasn't a basketball player confronting me; that was a parent, and that was a father. And I can't sit here and be angry, or feel slighted by LeBron James in anyway in that regard. ... He clearly took exception to some of the things that he heard me say and he confronted me about it."
Smith added that LeBron's agent Rich Paul has his number, so he knows how to get in contact with him if he wanted to. "He never called, 'cause had he called and wanted to talk to me, I would've accepted that call," he continued. "I would've had a conversation man-to-man, but that is not what he elected to do. Instead, he elected to confront me while I was sitting courtside. ... Apparently, he feels like I slighted his son."
Smith clarified that he thought that Bronny was being put in a position that he wasn't quite ready for, but he's a rookie and he's still got time to shine. "As a father, I get it," he said. "I'm not offended, I'm not insulted. I don't have any animosity or animus towards LeBron James for this... I don't think he cares, but neither do I... If I was in his position, I can't definitively say I would not have done the same thing. I get it."
Smith said that he and LeBron "don't necessarily vibe," and it's "been that way for years" even if neither of them is losing sleep over it. He added that he stands by his comments about Bronny but he doesn't "blame" LeBron for confronting him.
In the video circulating online, which can be seen in the First Take segment above, LeBron does not look happy. Nothing said can be made out in the brief clip, which was recorded from too far away for any audio to be picked up, but fans theorized that the Lakers star stepped up to Smith over his criticism of his son and teammate, Bronny James.
Smith had some harsh words for Bronny earlier this year. During an episode of First Take in January, Smith suggested that Bronny was getting too many minutes on the court.
"I am pleading with LeBron James as a father. Stop this," Smith said. "Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad. The first game of the season, opening night, the Griffeys are in attendance. Father-son duo playing in an NBA game for the first time and absolutely, positively, wonderful story. And then reality sets in."
He maintained that Bronny made an impressive showing in the G League, but he also believed that's where he "belongs," at least right now. "I am rooting for Bronny James. It would be cruel to root against him," he said. "He's a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best. But he's LeBron James' son and everybody knows what attention that brings."
