Stephen A. Smith went too far in Bronny James…
Stephen A. Smith made issues personal and stepped out of bounds as a sports activities commentator in his feud with LeBron James, based on FS1 analyst Ric Bucher.
During an look Tuesday on “The Doug Gottlieb Show,” Bucher defined Smith took issues too far when he addressed James, 40, on “First Take” in January and begged the Lakers star to stop exposing his son, 20-year-old rookie Bronny James, as an illegitimate NBA participant.
“They perceive it as a sports commentator, or someone in the media overstepping their bounds — making something that wasn’t about sport, making it personal, and maybe doing it for attention and clicks as opposed to being genuine commentary,” Bucher mentioned when requested about how fellow gamers across the league perceived Smith’s earlier feedback.
“… The downside with the conversations round Bronny James is there may be the dialog about whether or not Bronny belongs in the NBA or is a reliable NBA participant, and Lebron’s half in that and what Bronny’s potential is.
“And then there may be the place Stephen A. took it, which is, ‘I’m begging you as a father, don’t do that to your son.’ That’s what made it personal.
Stephen A. Smith sitting courtside on the Lakers-Knicks sport at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on March 6, 2025. ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Lakers star LeBron James confronted Stephen A. Smith, who was sitting courtroom aspect at Crypto.com Arena for the Lakers-Knicks sport at Crypto.com Arena on March 6, 2025.
“Let’s take a step back. Think about LeBron James and his history and the fact that he didn’t grow up with a dad. And by all accounts, [he] wants to the be the dad he never had, he wants to be a good dad to his kids. And Stephen A. was basically saying publicly, ‘You’re not being good dad to your son, and I’m going to pull you up on that. I’m going to tell you about how you should be a good father to your son.’ And that’s where it went out of bounds.”
James has been open about not having a relationship along with his organic father and being raised by his mom, Gloria Marie James, who gave delivery to him at 16 years outdated, in Akron, Ohio.
FS1 analyst Ric Bucher weighed in on the Stephen A. Smith-LeBron James feud. Instagram/Ric Bucher
“I don’t think it was genuine. I thought it was theater,” Bucher mentioned about Smith and his January feedback centered on James and Bronny.
“And when you get into something that means as that to LeBron James, he’s going to say something and other players are going to look at it in the same way, ‘You’re talking about my family. You’re not talking about an NBA player now’ — not the way that Stephen A framed it. ‘You’re talking about my family.’ And they’re going to feel some kind of way about that.”
Bucher added he didn’t “have a problem” with James’ response to Smith.
Last Thursday, the four-time NBA champ confronted Smith during the Lakers’ 113-109 additional time win in opposition to the Knicks in Los Angeles, the place the ESPNer sat courtside.
James and Smith, who sat with Endeavor chief govt Ari Emanuel and actor Larry David, appeared animated during the face-to-face however social media footage of the exchange didn’t convey what was mentioned.
While James has but to handle the state of affairs publicly, Smith detailed the encounter on “First Take” final Friday after it went viral.
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent,” Smith mentioned, including that it was an “unexpected” incidence. “That was a father. I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard. By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son… He clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say and he confronted me about it.”
Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on earlier than the sport in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans on March 4, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE through Getty Images
Smith added he couldn’t repeat what James mentioned to him as a result of it wasn’t appropriate for tv.
“Apparently he feels like I was slighting his son,” Smith mentioned. “…What I’d’ve mentioned if we had been in a completely different atmosphere as a result of I used to be not going to have interaction in a confrontation in that exact second and setting.
“But if we had had that conversation, I would have said to LeBron James, ‘I never would speak negatively about your son. I was talking about you,’ meaning you, LeBron James,” Smith mentioned.
Bronny James #9 of the South Bay Lakers handles the ball during the sport in opposition to the Motor City Cruise on March 10, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NBAE through Getty Images
“… I was talking about the position that he was put in by his dad … My point months ago was that because of who you are, one of the top two players in the history of basketball in my estimation, there’s an immense amount of pressure that comes with that for his son … And that’s when I was talking about, ‘Come on, man. This is the situation that you’re putting him in.’ That’s where I was coming from.”
Smith made these particular feedback whereas reacting to Bronny’s poor outing in the Lakers’ 118-104 loss to the 76ers on Jan. 28.
Bronny went 0-for-5 with three turnovers in quarter-hour, and Lakers head coach JJ Redick questioned inserting the rookie in his rotation.
“I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be towards LeBron James… I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this,” Smith mentioned on the time.
“We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA as a result of of his dad. The first sport of the season, opening knight, the Griffey’s in attendance, father-son duo taking part in in an NBA sport for the primary time. An completely positively fantastic story. And then actuality units in.
“We love what we’re seeing from him in the G-League as a result of that’s the place you belong as you hone your abilities and also you get higher and also you legitimately earn, which I consider has the potential to do. I’m rooting for Bronny James. It can be merciless to root in opposition to him. He’s a fantastic child, I want him nothing however the best. But he’s LeBron James’ son, and all people is aware of what consideration that brings.
“…How are you doing him favors? We know that he’s not ready yet. And I’m saying this with compassion… You know what [Bronny’s stats at the time] mean. You know what it’s going to do to your son, to people that are missing out on opportunities, that are busting their tail on other NBA teams and the G League and Europe and everywhere else, what kind of opportunity they’re starving for. You’re exposing your son like this?”
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers appears to be like on during the sport in opposition to the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NBAE through Getty Images
Bronny was chosen in the second spherical of final yr’s NBA draft at No. 55 general. He spent the 2023-24 season at USC.
Since his confrontation with James, Smith — the recipient of a new five-year, $100 million deal with ESPN — has been candid in regards to the fallout.
James, who’s sidelined with a groin damage he sustained in opposition to the Celtics on March 8, returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday per medical advice, based on ESPN.
The Lakers (40-23) face the Bucks (36-28) in Milwaukee on Thursday.
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