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Nearly three weeks after confronting Stephen A. Smith during a Los Angeles Lakers 113-109 win over the New York Knicks, LeBron James took to "The Pat McAfee Show" on Wednesday morning to break his silence on the incident, referring to the fallout as a "Taylor Swift tour run" for the ESPN broadcaster.
The beef between James and Smith all started over comments Smith made regarding James' son, Bronny. Smith originally said that Bronny should be in the G League his rookie year, claiming that he was not ready for NBA action. Specifically, on a January 29 episode of Smith's show "First Take", Smith insinuated that Bronny was only in the NBA because of his father. LeBron did not take those comments lightly, approaching Smith in the middle of a game during a timeout just a week later.
On Wednesday's show, LeBron did not mention exactly what he said to Smith during that conversation, but he did note that he hasn't been too fond of how Smith has reacted to the situation.
"He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now," James said. "It started off with, I didn’t want to address it… but since the video came out I feel the need to address it."
James didn't believe that sentiment for one moment though. James exclaimed, "[Smith] couldn’t wait till the video comes out so [he] can address it."
In James' defense, Smith has been very open about the argument. During a recent interview on Gil's Arena podcast, Smith called James "weak" for the confrontation. He said, "I turn around and [LeBron]’s right here in my face and says, ‘Yo, you gotta stop talking (expletive) about my son [Bronny]. You gotta stop (expletive) with my son. That’s my son, that’s my son!'"
Smith also claimed that he suggested he and James talk about it after the game but that James refused.
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LeBron claims that Smith misunderstood his reasoning for the confrontation.
"He completely missed the whole point. The whole point," James said. "Never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport and criticize players about what they do. That is your job to criticize, or to be in a position where if a guy's not performing, you know? That's all part of the game. But when you take it and you get personal with it, it's my job to not only protect my damn household, but protect the players."
James also noted that he believes this beef between him and Smith has been very beneficial to Smith. "[Smith]'s gonna be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him," James said. "I know he's gonna be happy as hell."
In a way, yes.
On Thursday, March 20, Bronny James was forced to step up for the Lakers in the absence of several of their key players, including Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Although the Lakers lost by a hefty 29-point margin, Bronny James played well, finishing tied for the most points on the Lakers with 17, a career-high for the rookie. Bronny also set a career-high with five assists and matched his career-best with three rebounds.
Smith was impressed with Bronny's play and took to ESPN the following day to offer him congratulations.
Smith did not flat out apologize but admitted he may have jumped the gun with his opinions on Bronny. "I saw an elevation in his poise and confidence," Smith said. "He didn't look as nervous as he did in previous contests."
He continued, "And if that kind of stuff continues, then indeed he’ll be in the league as a bona fide player sooner than later. One game doesn’t make that determination. You need to do more than that. But I wanted to make sure I emphasized that point."
NBA playoff picture: Latest standings, play-in bracket and predictions
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James addresses Stephen A. Smith spat on Pat McAfee Show
Continue reading...
The beef between James and Smith all started over comments Smith made regarding James' son, Bronny. Smith originally said that Bronny should be in the G League his rookie year, claiming that he was not ready for NBA action. Specifically, on a January 29 episode of Smith's show "First Take", Smith insinuated that Bronny was only in the NBA because of his father. LeBron did not take those comments lightly, approaching Smith in the middle of a game during a timeout just a week later.
On Wednesday's show, LeBron did not mention exactly what he said to Smith during that conversation, but he did note that he hasn't been too fond of how Smith has reacted to the situation.
"He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now," James said. "It started off with, I didn’t want to address it… but since the video came out I feel the need to address it."
James didn't believe that sentiment for one moment though. James exclaimed, "[Smith] couldn’t wait till the video comes out so [he] can address it."
In James' defense, Smith has been very open about the argument. During a recent interview on Gil's Arena podcast, Smith called James "weak" for the confrontation. He said, "I turn around and [LeBron]’s right here in my face and says, ‘Yo, you gotta stop talking (expletive) about my son [Bronny]. You gotta stop (expletive) with my son. That’s my son, that’s my son!'"
Smith also claimed that he suggested he and James talk about it after the game but that James refused.
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NBA News: How many points did Jimmy Butler score vs. Heat in return to Miami?
What was LeBron's response?
LeBron claims that Smith misunderstood his reasoning for the confrontation.
"He completely missed the whole point. The whole point," James said. "Never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport and criticize players about what they do. That is your job to criticize, or to be in a position where if a guy's not performing, you know? That's all part of the game. But when you take it and you get personal with it, it's my job to not only protect my damn household, but protect the players."
James also noted that he believes this beef between him and Smith has been very beneficial to Smith. "[Smith]'s gonna be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him," James said. "I know he's gonna be happy as hell."
Has Stephen A. Smith apologized for his statements?
In a way, yes.
On Thursday, March 20, Bronny James was forced to step up for the Lakers in the absence of several of their key players, including Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Although the Lakers lost by a hefty 29-point margin, Bronny James played well, finishing tied for the most points on the Lakers with 17, a career-high for the rookie. Bronny also set a career-high with five assists and matched his career-best with three rebounds.
Smith was impressed with Bronny's play and took to ESPN the following day to offer him congratulations.
Smith did not flat out apologize but admitted he may have jumped the gun with his opinions on Bronny. "I saw an elevation in his poise and confidence," Smith said. "He didn't look as nervous as he did in previous contests."
He continued, "And if that kind of stuff continues, then indeed he’ll be in the league as a bona fide player sooner than later. One game doesn’t make that determination. You need to do more than that. But I wanted to make sure I emphasized that point."
NBA playoff picture: Latest standings, play-in bracket and predictions
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James addresses Stephen A. Smith spat on Pat McAfee Show
Continue reading...
