LeBron James Mentions Taylor Swift As He Blasts Stephen A Smith
LeBron James claps back at Stephen A. Smith for his remarks about Bronny, saying the analyst "completely missed the point."
LeBron and Smith made headlines after the NBA icon had a heated courtside conversation with the sports analyst after the Lakers' game against the New York Knicks on March 6.
Following the pair's confrontation, Smith opened up about what LeBron said to him during a television appearance, revealing that the four-time NBA champion spoke to him about the remarks he made about his son, Bronny James.
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LeBron James Tears Down Stephen A. Smith
On Wednesday, LeBron made a special appearance on ESPN's "Pat McAfee Show" and took aim at Smith for continuously talking about their discussion in public.
When the conversation shifted to his confrontation with Smith, LeBron said the sports commentator "is on a Taylor Swift tour run right now."
He then referenced Smith's initial comments on ESPN's "First Take" a day after their confrontation.
LeBron said, "It started off with, 'I didn't want to address it. I wasn't going to address it, but since the video came out, I feel the need to address it.'"
The father of three continued, "Are you kidding me? If there was one person that couldn't wait for the video to drop, it was your -ss. Like Seriously?"
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LeBron Says Stephen A. Smith 'Missed The Whole Point'
LeBron James continued to destroy Smith, noting that the ESPN analyst didn't get the point.
He said, "He completely missed the whole point. Never would I ever not allow people who talk about the sport to criticize players about what they do on the court. That is your job to criticize... that is all part of the game."
The basketballer continued, "But when you take it, and you get personal with it, it's my job not only to protect my d-mn household but protect the players."
LeBron then trolled Smith, noting that he would be delighted to hear him discussing their confrontation.
He said, "And I know he's gonna be happy as hell. He's going to be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him again. Oh my God!"
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LeBron added, "He's gonna get home and grab some ice cream out of the f-cking freezer and sit in his chair in his tighty whities on the couch. Relax, bro."
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What Stephen A. Smith Said When He First Addressed His And LeBron James' Confrontation
Smith addressed his and LeBron's courtside confrontation on the March 7 episode of ESPN's "First Take."
Smith said, "That wasn't a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father. And I can't sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard."
He continued, "By all accounts, he's obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son. I'm not blaming him one bit... but it's my job to talk about the subjects and the subject matters that matter. I work for ESPN."
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The "Stephen A. Smith Show" host added, "I'm not one of those that get into people's private affairs, but what you do on a public platform for public consumption, that's what I cover. That's what I do for a living. And if you're in the NBA, that applies to you."
He added, "I don't want enemies. I live a very good life. I like to make people laugh and smile and have a good time and all of that other stuff. But I also get paid to call it like I see it. And what I said at the time, I stand by what I said."
Smith Shares More Details About His Confrontation With LeBron
Five days after addressing his confrontation with LeBron James, Stephen A. Smith gave a more scathing verdict about their bust-up during an appearance on the "Gil's Arena" podcast.
He said he thought LeBron's actions were "weak," adding, "I thought it was some bullsh-t. But in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father."
Smith added, "Apparently, LeBron had walked out at the timeout, and I turn around and he's right here in my face."
The pundit shared LeBron's words, "He said, 'Yo, you gotta stop talking sh-t about my son. You gotta stop f-cking with my son. That's my son, that's my son!'"
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LeBron James Seemingly Reveals What Sparked His Confrontation With Smith
Meanwhile, on March 11, a video emerged that showed LeBron apparently discussing his and Stephen A. Smith's feud with Smith's ESPN colleague, Richard Jefferson, before the Lakers game against the Boston Celtics on March 8.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers player was heard saying, "That's the only thing I'm tripping. I don't give a f-ck. Once, he talks about 'I'm pleading to you as a father.' I can't."
LeBron's issue with Smith stems from the latter's comments about his son, Bronny James.
During a January 29 episode of "First Take," Smith said, "I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: stop this. Stop this."
He also said, "We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad."
Following LeBron's recent comments about Smith, one can only wait to see how the sports analyst responds.