Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James can often become an easy target for the media.

A perfect example of this was seen during the 2024-25 NBA season when ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith seemingly crossed a line when talking about LeBron James.

It was due to Stephen A. questioning James as a father to his eldest son, Bronny James, somewhat struggling to play well in the NBA.

Throughout his career, LBJ has mostly ignored the talking heads, but this time around, the LA Lakers star confronted Smith about his actions.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

Stephen A. Smith once again pokes LeBron James

While most believed that the LBJ-Smith beef was settled, the ESPN analyst proved them wrong once again.

The veteran sports personality recently made an appearance on former NBA star Gilbert Arenas‘ show, ‘Gil’s Arena.’ During the appearance, Smith reignited his feud with the 4x NBA champion.

“There’s no relationship. He doesn’t like me, and I don’t like him. There’s nobody who can mediate. I don’t talk about him unless I’m asked.

“Some people say, ‘Well, why do you talk about him?’ Because I was asked. This is what I do for a living, so how the hell am I gonna get away with saying ‘no comment?’” Smith told Arenas.

As usual, Smith then took a jab at James’ position in the GOAT debate, placing him behind none other than Michael Jordan.

“I have no desire to talk about him. He is, in my mind, the second greatest player in the history of basketball. He’s been an incredible ambassador to the game of basketball.

“His respect has been earned, not given… but that’s the basketball player, not the man,” Smith added.

Stephen A. Smith never wants to talk to LeBron James in his life

At 40 years old, James is already at the tail end of his NBA career. Keeping that in mind, it makes sense that the Lakers star is finally clapping back at people who have criticized him over the years.

Coming back to Stephen A.’s side of the story, the First Take host continued to suggest receiving unfair treatment behind the scenes.

“People don’t know the things that have happened behind the scenes, the kind of things that have been engaged in an effort to hurt me,” Smith stated.

The end result? Smith never wants to come face-to-face with LBJ ever again.

“There’s a lot of s___ that I know that I don’t say… If I never, ever speak to him in life, I’m good with it,” he concluded.