LeBron James had a heated exchange with Stephen A. Smith courtside after the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks on March 6th, reportedly in response to Smith’s criticism of Bronny. The confrontation, which occurred shortly after the game, was captured on video and quickly went viral. In the footage, James can be seen approaching Smith and giving him a stern talking-to before walking away.
Many social media users speculated that the confrontation was related to Smith’s criticism of LeBron’s son, Bronny. Lipreaders suggested that James said, “Keep my son out of this s***.” The viral clip sparked reactions from fans, some of whom pointed out the contrast between Smith’s usual outspoken demeanor on First Take and his quieter response when confronted by the NBA star in person. Others noted how intimidating it must be to face off with a 6’9″, 250-pound athlete like James.
Smith’s criticism of Bronny has stirred controversy before. Last month, he revealed that LeBron’s agency, Klutch Sports, reached out to him about his comments regarding Bronny’s playing time. Smith clarified that he didn’t oppose Bronny playing in the season opener, calling it a “phenomenal moment.” However, Smith also stated that he believed Bronny wasn’t ready for more playing time, suggesting that his appearance in a Lakers uniform should’ve been limited to that opener. Despite his criticism, Smith acknowledged Bronny’s potential, saying, “I think the kid will be in the NBA one day… he’s gonna be fine — eventually.”
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