The tension between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith is evolving into a media standoff, and it seems LeBron may have just made his next move in what’s becoming an increasingly public chess match.
Their feud began when the NBA superstar confronted the longtime ESPN commentator during a Lakers-Knicks game over Smith’s repeated criticism of LeBron’s son, Bronny James.
Smith had been vocal in questioning whether Bronny, 20, is truly ready for the NBA, asserting that he should first spend a full season in the G League.
Moreover, Smith expressed concern over LeBron allegedly pressuring the league to fast-track his son’s entry, casting doubts not just on Bronny’s readiness but also on LeBron’s motivations as a father. Those comments didn’t sit well with the four-time NBA champion, who took the opportunity to personally tell Smith to stop targeting his son.
Rather than backing down, Smith doubled down-launching into a series of interviews and podcast appearances to air his side of the story. But now,
LeBron appears to have answered back in his own way-by giving a rare interview to Pat McAfee, one of Smith’s biggest rivals at ESPN.
“Obviously, we follow the NBA a lot closer…I don’t want to give anything anyway…LeBron James is going to be on the show this week,” McAfee said back on Monday.
McAfee announced the exclusive interview on X, revealing it will air at 12:05 ET on Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show. Given LeBron’s reputation for rarely granting interviews outside of his own ventures such as The Shop or Mind the Game, this move is seen by many as intentional.
“Be a friend, tell a friend.. The LeBronversation with the progrum happened. It was AWESOME… about an Hour and 15 minutes. Chatted about damn near everything,” McAfee wrote on X.
