Stephen A. Smith Ignites Controversy: ‘Bronny’s Sad Look Said It All—And You Know LeBron Saw It Too!

Stephen A. Smith has added even more fuel to his ongoing dispute with LeBron James, revealing fresh insights about what may have prompted the Lakers superstar’s intense courtside confrontation during a recent game.

Appearing on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, Smith opened up about a moment he believes triggered LeBron to approach him over his criticism of Bronny James.

Smith originally shared that LeBron walked up to him at Crypto.com Arena during a timeout in the third quarter when the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the New York Knicks.

According to Smith, LeBron made it clear he wasn’t happy with Smith’s repeated commentary about his son, saying: “You gotta stop talking st about my son. You gotta stop f**king with my son. That’s my son, that’s my son.”

Now, Smith is providing additional context, suggesting that Bronny himself may have sparked LeBron’s response.

“I remember, during a timeout in the first quarter, seeing Bronny, and Bronny looked over at me and he had a sad look on his face,” Smith explained. “And I am imagining, pops [LeBron] saw that s**t. It hit him and he couldn’t hold it and he rolled up on me.”

Smith Stands by His Comments

While Smith acknowledged that LeBron‘s reaction was a display of fatherly protection, he also criticized how and when LeBron chose to handle the issue.

“I thought it was weak, I thought it was some bulls**t. But, in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father,” Smith said.

“I thought it was weak. I thought it was bullsh*t.”@stephenasmith gives @GilsArenaShow the full story of what happened during his confrontation with LeBron pic.twitter.com/K6rtZsbYvf

— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) March 11, 2025

He added that although he respects LeBron‘s role as a dad, he believes that as long as Bronny is an active NBA player, he’s subject to analysis and critique like anyone else.

Smith’s remarks about Bronny originally made waves when he publicly urged LeBron to stop pushing his son into the NBA spotlight, arguing Bronny might not be ready for the professional pressure.

LeBron, in turn, seemed to address those concerns in a separate conversation with Richard Jefferson, where he said, “Once he talks about, ‘I’m pleading with you as a father,’ I can’t.”