The NBA star is finally speaking out after confronting ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith courtside during a Lakers-Knicks game—a moment that’s now spiraled into a full-blown back-and-forth. And LeBron isn’t holding back.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the moment went viral, LeBron made it clear: this wasn’t about basketball—it was about protecting his son, his family, and the players in the league.
“You Couldn’t Wait for the Video to Drop”
LeBron didn’t hold back when addressing Smith’s response to the confrontation.
“He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now,” LeBron joked. “It started off with, ‘I didn’t wanna address it… but since the video came out, I feel the need to address it.’ “Are you kidding me? If there’s anyone who couldn’t wait for the video to drop so he could respond—it’s your ass.”
LeBron was visibly annoyed at the way Smith attempted to downplay the situation, insisting that the veteran commentator completely missed the core issue.
“Never would I ever stop people from criticizing what happens on the court. That’s your job. But when it gets personal? That’s where I step in.”
A Courtside Confrontation Goes Viral
The tension first exploded during the third quarter of the Lakers-Knicks matchup at Crypto.com Arena. During a timeout LeBron walked straight up to Smith and said: “Yo, you gotta stop talking sh*t about my son. You gotta stop effin’ with my son. That’s my son.”
Caught off guard, Smith simply replied, “Alright though,” and LeBron walked away. Later, on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, Smith described the moment as “bullsht” and “weak”—but admitted it came from a place of fatherly instinct.
Smith later explained that he believed LeBron’s real issue wasn’t about basketball. It was about how he felt Smith had portrayed him as a father—not just as. “Had he said that to me, I wouldn’t have been thrown off. I would’ve come right back at him,” Smith said.
To make matters more intense, the confrontation happened on the same day Smith finalized his new ESPN contract. What could’ve been a quiet disagreement turned into a nationally televised moment.
LeBron: “It’s My Job to Protect”
LeBron made it clear that his issue wasn’t just about Bronny—it was about how far the media takes things when talking about athletes and their families.
“When you get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my damn household, but to protect the players,” LeBron said. “That’s what I stand on.”
And in classic LeBron fashion, he didn’t leave without one last jab.. “He’s gonna be happy as hell, he’s gonna be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him. Oh my God, he’s gonna get home, grab some ice cream out of the freezer, and sit in his tighty whities.”
