Stephen A. Smith Reopens Wounds Of LeBron James’ Confrontation: “Was Very Disrespectful”

Stephen A. Smith may not want to talk about it, but he still speaks about LeBron James' public confrontation whenever he is asked.

Stephen A. Smith Reopens Wounds Of LeBron James’ Confrontation: “Was Very Disrespectful”

LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Stephen A. Smith criticized LeBron James for a past confrontation, calling it "very disrespectful."
  • He stated he would not initiate contact with James again unless asked, but holds no grudge against him.
  • Smith reaffirmed his belief that Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time, surpassing LeBron's achievements.

Over the past couple of years, whenever Stephen A. Smith speaks about LeBron James, almost everyone points to that one incident that created ripples across the sports world.

To this day, fans believe that whenever the ESPN analyst criticizes the King, even when the conversation is basketball-related, it can be traced to that incident.

After all, no one wants to be confronted publicly by the league’s most popular superstar and then watch the world troll him for not being able to respond in any manner.

Smith was not worried initially about the exchange. But when the narratives changed against him, he went to great lengths to try to get back at the Los Angeles Lakers forward.

But over the past few weeks, fans sensed that the 58-year-old had probably left that controversy behind. It seems that notion was incorrect, as Stephen A. Smith proved while speaking with Logan Paul.

It was very disrespectful. I thought it was very unfair to me. I never did what he implied that I did. That was my issue…. It was clear when he rolled up on me that he thought I went after his son to get at him because I critiqued him. I would never do that… I wouldn’t go after somebody’s kid. I would never do that. To paint that narrative just because you don’t like the fact I don’t view you as the GOAT really pissed me off.

Stephen A. Smith said on Impaulsive

This was the ESPN executive producer making it clear that he was bothered by James’ confrontation. He had not said anything negative about Bronny James, which is why Smith believes that the incident was more about the 41-year-old superstar than his son.

Stephen A. Smith will not speak with LeBron James

After Stephen A. Smith detailed how that ‘disrespectful’ confrontation left him bewildered, the part-time political analyst went on to say how the situation is now for both him and LeBron James.

Stephen A. Smith meeting LeBron James might not happen in the future
Stephen A. Smith meeting LeBron James might not happen in the future (Image via Complex/X)

I’m over all of that. I didn’t like that it happened. We haven’t spoken. I doubt if we’ll ever speak. If he wanted to speak to me, I would, but I’ll never try to speak to him unless he asks me to. But I don’t hate him, I’m not rooting against him.

Smith said

Smith is clear that, unless required, he will not look to speak with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. It does not mean that he is holding a grudge against James. Nor is that he hates the Los Angeles Lakers superstar or roots against him.

The Queens, New York, native wanted the father of three to continue doing what he does on the court, win. Even if it will not change Smith’s opinion about the GOAT, he wants James to keep pushing the boundaries.

Stephen A. Smith sticks to Michael Jordan as his GOAT over LeBron James

Hearing this, Logan Paul and his Impaulsive co-host Mike Majlak led Stephen A. Smith into the GOAT debate, asking him who his greatest ever NBA player is.

There’s no way you could watch Michael Jordan and LeBron James and think Michael Jordan is not the GOAT…. We ain’t counting his two years with the Wizards. He was trying to be the owner, and they needed him to come out of retirement to have an ownership stake. We’re talking about his 13 years in Chicago.

Smith said

Smith made it clear that what Michael Jordan did in his 13 years with the Chicago Bulls was greatness in itself. Nothing James has done, or can do, will surpass that.

The analyst added that His Airness stopped several all-time greats from winning championships, and has left their respective franchises still trying to overcome that shock. James’ impact in the league is nowhere near that.

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