Tensions have risen between ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James after Smith criticized James' son, Bronny, earlier in 2025, saying he wasn't ready for the NBA level.
The topic has gone viral across the league throughout the year and continues to spark discussion as the 2025-26 season tips off this week.
Despite the time that has passed, Smith is still speaking on the matter. He recently went on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, hosted by Carmelo Anthony, saying that he doesn't like him.
Stephen A. Smith: 'I don't like his a–, not even a little bit.'
Heading into a new week, Stephen A. Smith spoke in an interview with Carmelo Anthony and explained his reasoning behind his diminishing relationship with LeBron James.
"I don't like his a–, not even a little bit. You do not understand the lengths this man would go to," Smith said. "This dates back more than a decade. I believe he's one way publicly and another way privately."
Smith then proceeds to break down how he felt that he was "set up" after James confronted the analyst at a Lakers game for speaking down on Bronny James' basketball abilities after being drafted by Los Angeles in the 2024 NBA Draft.
"I arrived there in the first quarter, he rolled up on me in the third quarter... How is it we got one angle, and the only angle you see was of him and his face, but he sees the back of my peanut head?" Smith added.
Stephen A. Calls out Bron out for being fake
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 20, 2025
“I don’t like his ass—not even a little bit. You do not understand the lengths this man would go to. This dates back more than a decade. I believe he’s one way publicly and another way privately.”
(🎥 7PM)
pic.twitter.com/I7xwfjeV17
With all of this drama between the analyst and player, who knows how far it will go moving forward? From this current time, it appears that Stephen A. Has a problem with LeBron James and how he went off on things.