LeBron James eviscerates TV host, breaks silence about viral confrontation

LeBron James has slammed a leading NBA commentator, breaking his silence on a confrontation about his son that went viral.

LeBron James used ESPN airwaves to address a feud with one of the network’s biggest stars.

James sat down for a lengthy interview with Pat McAfee that aired on Wednesday, addressing his viral confrontation with Stephen A. Smith during a 113-109 win over the Knicks on March 6 for the first time.

“That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure I mind what I say about his son,” Smith said about the incident in regards to James’ eldest son, 20-year-old Lakers rookie Bronny James.

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“Can’t repeat the words because they ain’t suited for airwaves, that’s what he was doing. And I thought long and hard about this over the last few hours cause I had no intention on talking about this at all. And the reason was because it was a one-on-one, I wouldn’t say it was a conversation but it was a one-on-one confrontation.

“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me, that was a parent, that was a father. I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in that regard.”

“He completely missed the whole point,” James said, the New York Post reports.

“Never would I ever not allow people who talk about the sport to criticise players about what they do on the court. That is your job to criticise… That is all part of the game.

“When you take it and get personal with it, it’s my job not only to protect my damn household but protect the players. I think a lot of the media, including him – and I know he’s going to be happy as hell when he hears me talking about him.

“He’s going to get home and grab some ice cream out of the f***ing freezer and sit in his chair in his tighty-whities on the couch. Relax, bro. Seriously”

James, according to Smith, had an issue with comments the ESPN star had made about his son Bronny.

“I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: stop this. Stop this,” Smith said on January 29’s episode of “First Take” on ESPN.

“We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”

Watch LeBron James roast Stephen A. Smith in the video at the top of this article

Stephen A. Smith is one of ESPN's biggest personalities.

LeBron James went to town on Stephen A. Smith. Photo: X.

Smith has since talked at length about the incident — on ESPN, on his YouTube show and in interviews with other outlets.

“I turn around and he’s right here in my face and says, ‘Yo, you gotta stop talking sh*t about my son (Bronny). You gotta stop f***ing with my son. That’s my son, that’s my son!’” Smith said in an interview on “Gil’s Arena” podcast.

James mocked Smith for the number of times he’s discussed the incident.

“He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now,” James said.

“It started off with ‘I didn’t want to address it… but since the video came out I feel the need to address.’ You couldn’t wait till the video comes out so you can address it.”

LeBron suffered a groin injury in the Lakers’ next game against the Celtics and returned to the court on Saturday after a two-week absence.

Bronny James has been in solid form in recent weeks. Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images/AFP.

LeBron defended his son. Photo: Elsa/Getty Images/AFP.

Bronny has played some of his best basketball since the controversy erupted.

He scored a career high 17 points for the injury depleted Lakers in a loss against the Bucks on March 20 then he exploded for 39 points on Monday for the Lakers’ G League team.

Bronny has spent his rookie season bouncing between the NBA and G League after being drafted in the second round by the Lakers.

This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as LeBron James eviscerates TV host, breaks silence about viral confrontation