“We don’t like each other”: Stephen A. Smith doubles down on LeBron feud
In a recent interview, analyst Stephen A. Smith praised Lakers star LeBron James’ game, but insisted that he was wronged by him.
Nearly a year after their viral courtside confrontation, Stephen A. Smith has spoken out about the current status of his relationship with LeBron James. In a nutshell: He respects the greatness, but he’s not backing down.
One of the greatest ever...but still wrong: Stephen A.’s LeBron Stance
In a recent appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Smith addressed the lingering tension between himself and the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, and struck a tone that was equal parts admiration and defiance.
“We don’t like each other. The world needs to know that,” Smith said. “I hope he’s watching.”
Stephen A Smith with a message to LeBron James:
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 26, 2026
“We don’t like each other. The world needs to know that.. I hope he’s watching. I think he crossed the line with the incident involving his son. I don’t think I did what he said I was doing. I thought that was unfair and a low… pic.twitter.com/vqO4cXZMB9
Yet moments later, Smith delivered high praise for James’ career.
“He’s one of the greatest ever,” Smith said. “Anybody who has been that great, people like me have benefited because he gives us something to talk about. He’s provided a certain amount of entertainment that has made an exponential amount of lives better.”
The tension dates back to March 6, 2025, when James confronted Smith courtside after the Lakers’ overtime win over the New York Knicks. The disagreement stemmed from Smith’s public criticism of Bronny James’ NBA role, with LeBron later framing the confrontation as a father defending his son.
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me; that was a parent,” James said at the time.
Smith sees it differently.
“I think he crossed the line with the incident involving his son,” Smith said in his latest remarks. “I don’t think I did what he said I was doing. I thought that was unfair and a low blow.”
Smith’s issue lies in being accused of something he insists he didn’t do. He also pushed back strongly on the narrative that he made the situation personal, at one point calling James’ characterization of events dishonest. Despite the tension, Smith insists he isn’t carrying resentment.
“I’m 58 years old,” he said. “I’m not interested in walking around bitter and with a grudge.”
But forgiveness is another story. Time may heal everything, Smith suggested, but it hasn’t healed this. He even made a pointed remark about James’ career trajectory.
“As I see his career dwindling, it’s important everyone knows that I know how great he is," Smith said.
That comment alone will likely fuel further debate. Is it simply acknowledgment of a 23-year career nearing its end or another subtle jab?
Smith openly admits his daughters love LeBron. He calls him phenomenal. He credits him for elevating the league and sports media conversation. But he also believes he was wronged, and until that changes, reconciliation appears unlikely.
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