Stephen A. Smith isn’t holding back when it comes to where he stands with LeBron James. The outspoken ESPN analyst joined Gil’s Arena podcast and was asked directly about his current relationship with the NBA superstar. His answer was blunt: “There’s no situation and there’s no relationship. He doesn’t like me and I don’t like him.”
Smith explained that while he has immense respect for LeBron’s career and legacy on the court, their personal issues run much deeper. He praised James as “the second greatest player in the history of basketball,” noting his four championships, four MVP awards, and role as an ambassador for the game. But Smith drew a sharp line between admiring LeBron the player and respecting LeBron the man.
According to Smith, behind-the-scenes incidents soured their relationship long before it reached the public eye. He hinted at conversations and actions that, in his view, were attempts to hurt his reputation and career. But the final breaking point came when James publicly reacted to Smith’s commentary about his son, Bronny.
Smith insists his original comments were directed at LeBron himself—not at Bronny. However, James went on The Pat McAfee Show, which airs right after Smith’s own ESPN program, and framed the situation as an attack on his family. For Smith, that was the last straw.
“I’m a professional,” Smith said. “I represent ESPN. I now represent SiriusXM. But most importantly, I represent myself. I’m never going to denigrate any employer, any partner, or myself by getting into anything excessively unnecessarily… But if I never ever speak to him again in life, that will be okay. And I’m good with it.”
Still, Smith made clear that he’s not trying to sway others against LeBron. He respects the relationships James has built with players, coaches, and executives around the league. But on a personal level, Smith says he’s fine if reconciliation never happens.
That said, if LeBron ever wanted to initiate a conversation, Smith wouldn’t shut the door completely—though he warned it “wouldn’t be the most pleasant conversation, at least initially.”
In typical Stephen A. fashion, he closed his thoughts with conviction: “A lot has happened, and those two moments were the last straw. I’m not playing. I’m dead serious.”
Source: Gil's Arena
