Stephen A. Smith is okay with "never ever" speaking to LeBron James as their feud adds yet another development
The feud between sports analyst Stephen A. Smith and NBA star
LeBron James
refuses to come to a halt. In March 2025, their little rivalry took a different turn, when the two came face-to-face for a confrontation that fans are still getting to hear about.
And now, Smith has forced another development into the situation by bringing up their relationship, or rather, the lack of it, during his appearance on the Gil's Arena podcast.
Stephen A. Smith makes his feelings about LeBron James clear - Again!
From quick quips about each other, to coming face to face for a confrontation that almost turned physical - at least according to the First Take host - the
LeBron James
and Stephen A. Smith saga continues. Not a new development, as everyone who follows these two gentlemen knows, there is no lost love between them.
Still, Smith's recent appearance on the Gil's Arena podcast was bound to touch on his 'relationship' with the Los Angeles Lakers star, and his comments didn't disappoint.
"There's no situation, there's no relationship. He doesn't like me, and I don't like him. There's nobody that can mediate. I don't talk about him unless I'm asked. Some people say, 'Well, why do you talk about him?' Cause I was asked. This is what I do for a living, so how the hell do I get away with saying, 'No comment?' I have no desire to talk about him at all."
So basically, if he wasn't involved with the game, Smith would keep as much distance from Bron as possible. Maybe others should stop asking him about the Lakers star for future reference, so he can go about his life without being interrupted by the athlete.
Stephen A. Smith is good with never speaking to LeBron James
Like he already mentioned, the First Take host is all too well never speaking about LeBron James. He also has no desire to ever speak to the Lakers star either. As most believe, their last direct contact was at the Lakers game back in March this year, when Bron came over to confront the sports commentator for his comments about LeBron's oldest - Bronny James.
The father wasn't able to keep his cool and let it out on Smith, and ever since, there has been a back-and-forth between them from time to time.
"People don't know the things that have happened behind the scenes, the kind of things that have been engaged in, in an effort to hurt me... To go on 'The Pat McAfee Show,' which comes on directly after my show on the channel that I work on, to insult me... If I never ever speak to him again in life, I'm good with it."
While Smith admits that James is an extraordinary player, deeming him the "second greatest player in the history of basketball," he is not a fan of LeBron - the person. And he probably never will be. Whether the Lakers star replies to Smith's latest comments is yet to be seen.
Also Read:
LeBron James' wife Savannah James opened up about how they dealt with being pregnant at 16 and how the NBA icon's promise changed everything
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
‘Remind Me When I Was Dismissed By Him?': Steve Smith's Old Tweet Resurfaces As Jofra Archer Finally Dismisses Him In The Hundred
Back in the build-up to the Ashes 2023, Steve Smith famously dismissed the notion that Jofra Archer had ever troubled him. When reminded of Archer's fiery spells during the 2019 Ashes, Smith cheekily responded on social media: 'Terrorised? Reminds me of when I was dismissed by him…' At that point, Smith was correct. Despite Archer's pace and hostility, the England fast bowler had never taken his wicket in international cricket. Archer Breaks the Deadlock Fast forward two years, and the script has flipped. Playing in The Hundred 2025, Jofra Archer finally dismissed Steve Smith, marking the first time the Australian great has fallen to him in professional cricket. This was the first time Jofra Archer dismissed Steve Smith in T20s, although it wasn't his maiden breakthrough against the Australian star. Archer had already claimed Smith's wicket in the third ODI at Durham last year, removing him for a well-set 60. However, in the Test arena, Smith remains untouched by Archer's pace. With the English quicks recently returning to the Test side after four years during the India series, their much-anticipated duel is set to resume later this year in the Ashes. JOFRA ARCHER GETS STEVE SMITH __#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator — The Hundred (@thehundred) August 20, 2025 A Rivalry Built on Ashes: History The Archer-Smith battle dates back to the 2019 Ashes, when Archer famously struck Smith on the neck with a fiery bouncer at Lord's, forcing him to retire hurt. Though Archer's pace unsettled him, Smith returned later in the series to dominate, ending as the highest run-scorer, while still never being dismissed by Archer. That narrative became a talking point ahead of the 2023 series, with Smith using it as a reminder of his dominance. Also Read: Shreyas Iyer Net Worth 2025: How Much 'Sarpanch Sahab' Earns Annually? - Check What It Means for the Future While the dismissal itself carries little weight in terms of match impact, it adds fresh spice to the Archer-Smith rivalry. With the Ashes 2025-26 on the horizon, fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Archer can repeat the feat in the longer format, and whether Smith can silence the chatter once again.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Jayson Tatum Injury Update: Boston Superstar Calls Rehab ‘Tedious' Months After Achilles Injury Shakes Celtics' Season
Jayson Tatum gives much needed update on his injury (Image via Getty Images) Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has given his first detailed update on his recovery journey months after suffering a devastating Achilles tendon rupture that derailed both his career momentum and the team's playoff run. The injury occurred on May 12, 2025, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, when Tatum went down with a non-contact Achilles tear - a nightmare scenario for any professional athlete. Jayson Tatum's journey from collapse to surgery in 24 hours The sight of Jayson Tatum being carried off the Madison Square Garden court sent shockwaves through Celtics Nation. Boston was trailing in the series, and losing their leader left the team without its biggest weapon. Within 24 hours, Tatum underwent surgery to repair the tendon - a decision praised by doctors, as early intervention is often tied to better long-term outcomes. Medical experts immediately projected a recovery timeline of 10 to 12 months, effectively sidelining Tatum for most, if not all, of the 2025 - 26 NBA season. Tatum's 'Tedious' grind: Six days a week After months of silence, Tatum finally opened up to fans through a video shared by the NBA and Celtics. He summed up rehab in one word: 'tedious.' 'Rehab is tedious, man. It's six days a week. I'm starting to get a little bit better. I'm out of the boot now. Better days ahead, but just trying to take it one day at a time. Resilience is key. The first six weeks were probably the hardest I've faced in my life,' said Jayson Tatum His daily schedule revolves around therapy sessions, strengthening drills, and incremental improvements. Walking without a boot marked a major milestone, but Tatum emphasized that progress is slow, and mental fatigue often overshadows physical pain. How the injury has been a mental battle for Tatum Tatum admitted that the hardest part wasn't just the injury - it was the adjustment to a new reality. 'You gotta be resilient… Just had to accept it and realize, you know, it happened, and now I gotta do everything in my power to get back to who I was and, you know, get back to the plan,' added Jayson Tatum He described the first six weeks post-surgery as the most challenging period of his life, forcing him to confront the frustration of limited mobility and the absence of competition. What it means for the Boston Celtics Achilles injuries have ended or diminished many great careers, but Tatum's youth - he just turned 27 - and quick move into surgery are positives in his recovery outlook. Trainers and teammates continue to highlight his determination, while fans cling to the possibility of a full return. Still, the Celtics have had to face reality. For the first time since 2015, they won't appear on opening night or Christmas Day, a sign of how much Tatum's presence defines their brand and competitiveness. While projections suggest he could miss the entire upcoming season, neither Tatum nor the organization has ruled out a late-season comeback if progress accelerates. Tatum's grind in keeping fans engaged Despite the grind, Jayson Tatum has stayed connected with fans. His candid updates - often spiced with humor - have gone viral, from joking about his 'boring' rehab routines to celebrating ditching his walking boot. Hashtags like #tedious trend whenever he posts, and even his trainers have joined in on the lighthearted banter. Also read: "I Have Nothing but Love for Her!": Sophie Cunningham Breaks Silence on Bria Hartley After Injury and Family Backlash Jason's Battle with his injury has been a test of resilience Tatum's journey serves as a reminder that some of the toughest battles in sports happen away from the spotlight. His six-day-a-week commitment reflects both the pain and patience required to recover from such a crushing setback. For Celtics fans, his resilience offers a glimmer of hope that their star forward will one day return stronger, ready to lead Boston back to championship contention. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Linked to Sign $46.5 million ex-Charlotte Hornets Star; Possible Reunion With Luka Doncic?
The Los Angeles Lakers could look to reunite Luka Doncic with his former Dallas Mavericks teammate, forward P.J. Washington , when the 2026 offseason arrives. According to Lake Show Life's Tyler Watts, Washington's skill set makes him a strong fit for a Lakers roster determined to build around Doncic. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Why P.J. Washington Makes Sense for the Los Angeles Lakers has established himself as a versatile two-way player. His ability to guard multiple positions, rebound effectively, and stretch the floor with his shooting could provide a much-needed balance to the Lakers' lineup. P.J. Washington (Image via Getty) Tyler Watts highlighted Washington's value, writing: 'Getting a versatile forward capable of guarding multiple positions, rebounding, and knocking down open looks is a win for any contender. The Lakers could slot Washington in as the defender to cover for Luka and Austin Reaves on that end of the floor.' (H/t: Sporting News) PJ. Washington's Recent Numbers P.J. Washington's production with the Mavericks in the 2024-25 season often went unnoticed due to Dallas' turbulent year, which included trading Doncic to Los Angeles in February and ultimately missing the postseason. Here's a look at Washington's recent stats: Season Team Games Played Point Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks 3PT% 2024-25 Mavericks 29 11.7 6.2 — 1.2 — — Career Hornets/Mavs — 14.7 7.8 2.3 1.1 1.1 35.8% Washington also showed growth as a defender, utilizing his physicality to contest shots at the rim and hitting corner threes at a more consistent rate. Financial Factors in Play One key challenge for the will be the financial aspect of adding Washington. He is projected to command around $20 million annually on his next contract, a figure that could limit Los Angeles' flexibility as they continue to build around Doncic. Still, if the Lakers want to maximize their championship window with the five-time All-Star—who recently signed an extension with the franchise—bringing in Washington could prove to be an investment worth making. The Los Angeles Lakers have made it clear that the roster will be shaped to support Doncic's strengths. Washington, who already proved his worth alongside Doncic during their time in Dallas, could be the type of complementary piece Los Angeles needs as they chase another championship. Also read: A reunion may not be far off, with the 2026 offseason shaping up as a crucial moment for the Lakers' future roster decisions.
