LeBron James Blasts ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Amid Feud: 'Missed the Whole Point'

LeBron James fired back at ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" Wednesday, reigniting a feud that has been simmering since a viral video showed the Los Angeles Lakers star confronting Smith earlier this month. The clash centers around comments Smith made about James' eldest son, Bronny James.

In his signature style, LeBron didn’t hold back, dismissing Smith’s approach to the viral video as disingenuous. "Motherf---er, are you kidding me?" James said, adding that Smith seemed eager to address the clip despite claiming otherwise. Ouch. That’s a slam dunk in verbal form.

LeBron clarified his stance, emphasizing that he has no issue with media criticism of players’ on-court performance. "That is your job," he said. But when the criticism crosses into personal territory, James sees it as his duty to step in and protect both his family and the players. He accused Smith of missing the "whole point" and described the pundit’s commentary as unnecessarily personal.

The spat began with Smith’s remarks suggesting Bronny James is only in the NBA "because of" his father. LeBron, understandably protective of his son, didn’t take kindly to the insinuation. Bronny, a former USC standout who overcame a cardiac arrest, was drafted by the Lakers last summer, making history alongside his dad as the first father-son duo to share the court in an NBA game.

Smith later reflected on the confrontation, describing it as a father standing up for his son rather than a basketball player challenging a critic. "I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in that regard," Smith said on ESPN. He acknowledged LeBron’s dedication to his family and conceded that the Lakers star likely took exception to comments he believed were unfair.

While Smith’s respect for LeBron as a father seems genuine, the pundit’s initial comments about Bronny stirred up a debate that clearly struck a nerve. LeBron’s fiery response on "The Pat McAfee Show" has added more fuel to the feud, leaving fans to wonder if the two will ever find common ground.

The drama serves as a reminder that in the high-stakes world of NBA commentary, words matter—especially when family is involved.