Stephen A. Smith Says Courtside Confrontation With LeBron James Was NSFW | Video

The ESPN star says he "can not repeat the words" James told him "because they ain't suited for FCC airwaves" The post Stephen A. Smith Says Courtside Confrontation With LeBron James Was NSFW | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

Mar 7, 2025 - 21:12

Stephen A. Smith Says Courtside Confrontation With LeBron James Was NSFW | Video

Stephen A. Smith gave a play-by-play breakdown on Friday of his viral confrontation with LeBron James at a Lakers game just one night earlier. The verbal clash — which occurred right in front of Larry David and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel — happened after James “took exception” to the ESPN star commenting on his son, Bronny James, according to Smith.

Smith said on ESPN’s “First Take” that he “can not repeat the words” James said to him “because they ain’t suited for FCC airwaves.”

“That was not a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent, that was a father,” Smith continued.

“And I can not sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way … he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son and based on some of the comments that he had heard — or shall I say, I think he thought he heard — he clearly took exception to some of the things that he heard me say. And he confronted me about it.”

You can watch Smith’s full statement in the video below:

Smith did not share specifics on the comments James was upset about.

In January, Smith shared his thoughts on Bronny, who has struggled in his rookie season with the Lakers; Bronny is averaging 1.4 points per game on 26% shooting in 18 games played this year.

“We know that he’s not ready yet! And I’m saying this with compassion!” Smith said. “I’m asking the greatest player in the game … you know what these numbers mean, to your son, you are exposing your son like this.”

On Thursday night, a visibly agitated James was caught on camera giving Smith a piece of his mind at the Lakers game.