LeBron's violent reaction

Renowned analyst and journalist Stephen A. Smith recalled his public spat with Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James in early March 2025. James believed the pundit had overstepped his bounds in criticizing his son, Bronny.

"You see, you can't expect apologies from people like LeBron. I'm too small for him, too insignificant, for him to show the courage to admit, 'You really didn't say anything bad about my son. Everything you said was directed at me.'"

I never made any critical remarks about Bronny throughout his career, watching him every step of the way to the NBA. When he was drafted, I stood up and applauded—precisely because it was a remarkable moment. Above all, I believed LeBron James deserved it; he'd done an incredible amount for the league.

I said, 'The league owes him a lot.' He deserves everything he wants." He's been undervalued in that regard for a long time. I don't care how much his son gets paid—let him have it, for God's sake. Moreover, I noted that if Bronny continues to work hard, he could very well become a great professional. I really said all that.

But after that fateful evening in Philadelphia, I said, "Wait. You're asking us to ignore the obvious and not do our job." We saw it with our own eyes: Bronny wasn't ready at that moment.

That doesn't mean he won't be ready someday, but that's exactly what he was that night. And that's what provoked LeBron's outburst. "But no—I won't back down. No one will make me change my position. LeBron was wrong in that situation—he's simply wrong," said A. Smith.

from: Championat.com