Stephen A. Smith has been feuding with LeBron James for what feels like ages now. But now Smith is opening up on just how bad it has gotten.
In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Smith was pressed on the allegation that he is just playing up his feud with LeBron for attention. Smith made it clear that it's real and that the two vehemently do not like each other. He said that while he acknowledges LeBron's greatness as a basketball player, he doesn't intend to talk about his personal connection to him anymore.
"We don’t like each other. The world needs to know that.. I hope he’s watching… Time heals everything. As I see his career dwindling, it’s important everyone knows that I know how great he is. I know how great he has been for the game of basketball," Smith said.
Smith then reiterated his longstanding belief that LeBron has been actively trying to sabotage his career.
“I can’t talk about it, but that’s exactly what I said. And I’ve never talked about it. And I won’t, other than to say I know that to be true,” Smith insisted. “And that is – that’s unfortunate. And outside of that, it was validated when he went on Pat McAfee’s show, because you went on the show that comes on after me to talk about me and to disrespect me. Tighty whities on, and he did this and that, and all of this other stuff, and like, ‘Oh, really? So that’s what we doing.’ So, you know, that was validation. But I’ve known about several things in the past, but I’m beyond all of that. Like I said, I’ve moved past it.”
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Stephen A. vs. LeBron
The feud escalated in early 2025 after Smith made critical comments about LeBron’s son, Bronny James, suggesting that much of his NBA opportunity was tied to his father’s legacy. LeBron took exception to this, framing Smith’s remarks as personal and protective of his family, and addressed the situation publicly on shows like The Pat McAfee Show.
The tension boiled over during a courtside confrontation at a Los Angeles Lakers game in March 2025, when LeBron approached Smith directly — a moment that quickly went viral. From there, the back-and-forth intensified, with LeBron mocking Smith on social media and in interviews, and Smith defending his commentary while accusing LeBron of mischaracterizing his intent and, at times, engaging in actions he deemed unfair or “crossing the line.”
Since that game-time clash, their rivalry has become notably personal and sustained: Smith has said they essentially have “no relationship” and that they simply don’t like each other, while continuing to analyze and critique LeBron’s career in media appearances. LeBron, for his part, has insisted his intervention was about guarding his household and pushing back against what he viewed as inappropriate criticism. Outside commentators have urged both to move on, calling the feud petty and counterproductive, but neither has publicly reconciled, and their exchanges remain a recurring storyline in NBA discourse.