I hadn’t paid attention to the beef between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith, even when the clip of the former confronting the latter over criticism of his son went viral. To me, it was nothing and it still is.
But because it was caught on camera and involved the biggest names in pro sports and sports media, the minor flare-up has become a big story that sports media won’t let die.
In January, Stephen A. went on First Take and critiqued James’ son Bronny about playing in the NBA.
“I am pleading with LeBron James as a father. Stop this,” said Smith on the January 29th show. “Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”
He then went on to compliment Bronny’s performance in the G League and openly support his NBA dream.
“We love what we’re seeing from him [Bronny] in the G League because that’s where you belong. As you hone your skills and you get better, and you legitimately earn, which I believe he has the potential to do, I am rooting for Bronny James. He’s a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best.”
He continued his rant that evolved into an impassioned plea for LeBron to recognize that Bronny wasn’t NBA-ready yet and begged him to stop letting his son be exposed to ridicule from fans and the media.
LeBron took offense to Smith’s comments, confronted him at the game between the Lakers and Knicks and expressed some “choice words” to ESPN’s new $100 million man.
And that’s when, as Dave Chappelle told us, keeping it real went wrong.
After the confrontation went viral, the response tour went into effect.
What did LeBron really say?
What did Stephen A. say in return?
Did he really threaten him?
And it’s gone on and on and on and on….for two months!
This week, Stephen A. escalated the beef by ripping James for not attending Kobe’s funeral. But he quicly had to recant his statement and apologize when fans blasted him for lying as LeBron was indeed in attendance on that heartbreaking day.
In response, LeBron went on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and tore into Smith (and other ESPNers), a day after which Smith said that he would have swung back at LeBron if LeBron swung first.
“On my show, I said I would’ve swung on [LeBron James] had he slapped me — like lots of y’all said I was scared he would’ve done a few weeks ago,” Smith posted on X. “I also said immediately after that I would’ve gotten my ass thoroughly kicked by the 6’8”, 250lb Goliath, but folks just left that part of my Youtube sentence out, huh? Okay. Have fun!”
On Thursday morning, Smith went on a 15-minute rant on First Take addressing the drama.
This whole situation is as embarrassing as it is unnecessary, and there are so many other important sports topics to focus on like March Madness, MLB’s opening day, etc.
Instead, fans are feed a beef with no value other than gossip.
LeBron got a little too sensitive to Smith’s critique of his son while Smith should have left fatherhood out of it and focused on Bronny improving his game in the G League.
The on-court confrontation should have never transpired because as we all know, the camera is ALWAYS on.
This exemplifies what sports media has become- a tool for promoting viral, often frivolous content and venting business that is best discussed in private.
Unfortunately, in the age of social media, nothing escapes the camera; just ask Dan Hurley.
It’s tiring to see grown men, especially grown and successful Black men, bicker in this fashion when they could keep it old school and deal with beef face-to-face in private.
But I guess when you need ratings and viral content, there’s nothing better than starting a beef over nothing, and outside of 50 Cent, who better to create it than media magnets like Stephen A. and LeBron.
This story should have ended in January but sports media loves its foolish fodder.
It’s so ridiculous that I’m madder at myself for writing this than I am about the actual beef.
