"If I never speak to him again in life, I'm good with it" - Stephen A. Smith says he is ready to put LeBron in the rearview mirror
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith addressed his beef with Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James during an appearance on the "Gil's Arena" podcast. Smith reiterated that he and James don't like each other and that he doesn't think anyone can mediate between them to settle their issue.
Stephen A. also emphasized that whatever he has with LeBron is purely professional and nothing personal because, as a basketball analyst, it is his job to talk about the NBA, and at his workplace, there are directives to discuss particular topics and subjects.
"I don't talk about him unless I'm asked," said Smith. "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."
SAS says LeBron is out to destroy him
According to Smith, James is the second-best basketball player of all time, behind only the GOAT, Michael Jeffrey Jordan. He praised The King for being an "incredible ambassador" to the game of basketball and admitted that his respect is "earned, not given." However, that's just for King James on the basketball court.
Off the court, Stephen A. suggested that Bron is someone who doesn't handle criticism well and often takes it personally. Without going into specifics, Smith claimed that James and his team have been working to tear down the reputation he spent years building.
"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. There's a lot of s–t that I know that I don't say. Then, to go on The Pat McAfee Show, which comes on directly after my show on the channel that I work on, to insult me. But if I never ever speak to him again in life, I'm good with it," the renowned analyst added.Smith got "too personal"
It can be recalled that Smith had Bronny James as content on his show almost every day during the 2025-26 season. To his credit, the elder James never paid any attention to what Smith said about Bronny's game or performances. However, Stephen A. got too personal with his now infamous "As a father, I'm pleading you to stop" statement. LeBron took offense with that and confronted Smith courtside during a Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena and said some things to the "First Take" host that Smith described as "aren't suited for FCC airwaves."
That incident touched Smith's ego and triggered him to go on what James mocked as his version of Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour", trying to defend himself and explain his side of the beef. Then James appeared on Pat McAfee's Show and fired shots at Smith, which further infuriated the ESPN host.
It has been five months since their courtside confrontation. LeBron seems to have moved on after Smith stopped talking about Bronny on his show. Stephen A. looks like he has, too, and only talks about their beef when asked. It also helps that he admits he's fine with never speaking to Bron again, since it's clear James isn't interested in giving him any more mileage.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Where Florida football stands in ESPN's preseason power rankings for 2025
The start of the 2025 college football campaign is just around the corner, and in anticipation of the gridiron giants' return to action, the sports media is in a frenzy offering up its preseason prognostications. Now that the major polls have been released, many publications are offering their own takes on the upcoming fall schedule, including ESPN, which recently convened its writing staff to put together its initial power rankings. Much like the polls, the Florida Gators find themselves in the middle of the top 25, landing at No. 16 in the nation. "The expectations around Florida heading into this season are completely different than they were last year," Andrea Adelson begins. "The Gators open as a preseason top-25 team for the first time under coach Billy Napier, thanks in part to the way last season ended and the return of quarterback DJ Lagway. With Lagway, Florida not only believes it has a quarterback who can make every play with either his arm or his legs but a player with the leadership skills to bring an entire team together," she continues. "After dealing with multiple injuries this offseason, Lagway has to show he can stay healthy. The talent is there around him, and on the defense, for Florida to truly contend this season." Florida football's ranking in Coaches, AP polls The two major polls — the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 — have both released their preseason college football rankings ahead of the upcoming 2025 campaign. In them, the Gators find themselves included among both top 25 rankings, coming in at No. 17 per the Coaches Poll and No. 15 per the Associated Press. It looks like ESPN split the difference in its power rankings. ESPN's 2025 college football preseason power rankings Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Where Clemson landed in ESPN's 2025 college football preseason power rankings
Clemson has been one of the most talked-about teams all offseason, and ESPN's first power rankings of 2025 only added fuel to the fire. Dabo Swinney's Tigers landed at No. 3, coming in ahead of both their AP Poll and Coaches Poll placements. ESPN's David Hale pointed to how complete this roster looks compared to recent years. 'Is it a national championship or bust at Clemson this season? That might be a lofty expectation, but the stars have aligned for a team that has all the players in place, from a veteran quarterback (Cade Klubnik) to a trio of elite receivers to a revamped defense led by high-level NFL talent in Peter Woods and T.J. Parker,' Hale said. He also highlighted the addition of defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who is expected to bring back the intensity that once defined Clemson's defense. In Hale's view, this is Swinney's best roster since 2020, and following a surprise playoff berth last season, the bar has been raised even higher. Clemson trails only Texas and Penn State in ESPN's Top 25, while Georgia and Ohio State sit just behind. The Tigers will open their season on Aug. 30 against LSU in Death Valley, a top-10 clash that will immediately test Swinney's squad. Their regular-season finale against South Carolina also shapes up as one of the year's marquee rivalry games, with both teams ranked in the top 15. Elsewhere in the ACC, Miami is ranked No. 10, while SMU and Louisville also cracked the Top 25. The league's depth gives Clemson several chances to prove itself as the Tigers aim to return to the College Football Playoff and push for another national championship. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Stuns Fans At Slovenian Gas Station With Ripped New Look And Humble Gesture
Luka Doncic Stuns Fans At Slovenian Gas Station With Ripped New Look And Humble Gesture originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic stunned fans this week in Slovenia after being spotted at a gas station with a noticeably slimmer, ripped physique and a refreshingly humble gesture. A fan who ran into Doncic at the service station described the surreal encounter on X, noting that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar looked unrecognizable after shedding 33 pounds. "This morning. Slovenian service station. My friends and I go in to refill our Lasko beer. At the bar, there's a very tall guy in slippers. He's drinking coffee. He's with another man. I look closer. It's Doncic." "I almost didn't recognize him with 33 pounds less: he's so ripped. I say, 'Luka!' and he smiles. He waves me out. In the parking lot, he says hello to me and my friends. He takes pictures with everyone." "He says his injury in the friendly isn't serious and that he's super pumped for the European Championship. He greets us in Italian, 'Ciao!', and leaves. Life really is strange." "One day you're training with the Lakers in Los Angeles and then going home to your mansion in Beverly Hills, and another day you're in slippers at the service station chatting with Italian strangers." It was a rare sight of an NBA megastar blending into everyday life, only to leave fans buzzing not just about his humility but also his incredible body transformation. That physical change is not just cosmetic, it's the latest proof of Doncic's offseason dedication. For years, Doncic has been criticized for his conditioning, often carrying extra weight into the season, which fueled jokes about him being 'out of shape' or 'a traffic cone' defensively. Those labels might soon become outdated. His Slovenian teammates revealed that Doncic is fitter, faster, and more vocal than ever. Klemen Prepelic praised him not only for his conditioning but also for his evolution as a leader, saying Doncic has embraced a more positive and commanding presence with the national team. The transformation was already on display in a friendly against Latvia, where Doncic dropped 26 points in the first half. But more telling than the scoring was his defensive effort. He rotated, contested shots, stayed active in passing lanes, and even registered a block that sparked transition offense. While nobody expects Doncic to become a lockdown defender, simply offering consistent effort on that end could be game-changing for both Slovenia and the Lakers. For Los Angeles, the timing of this transformation could not be better. The franchise recently invested heavily in Doncic, handing him a three-year, $165 million extension and reshaping the roster to maximize his prime. With LeBron James entering the twilight of his career, the Lakers are betting their future on Doncic being the face of the franchise. And based on these glimpses from Slovenia, it appears he is embracing that responsibility. A leaner, more conditioned Doncic doesn't just mean sharper scoring, it means longevity, accountability, and leadership, three traits Lakers Nation has been waiting to see him fully embrace. It's also notable how this moment resonated with fans. Seeing Doncic, one of basketball's biggest global stars, sipping coffee in slippers at a small Slovenian gas station, chatting and taking pictures without hesitation, reflects his grounded nature despite superstardom. That humility, paired with his revamped work ethic, is exactly what fans want in a leader. He's proving he can dominate on the court and remain approachable off it, which only deepens his connection with supporters. As EuroBasket approaches and Doncic recovers from a minor knee contusion, fans will be eager to see whether this new version of Luka translates consistently in high-level play. If his Slovenian teammates are correct, the Lakers may be welcoming back not just a superstar scorer but a fitter, quicker, and more vocal leader, one who looks ready to lead them into the post-LeBron era. For Lakers fans, the message is simple: their franchise cornerstone looks hungrier, sharper, and more committed than ever. And if Luka Doncic's ripped new look and humble gas station encounter are any indication, this season could mark the start of something unforgettable in Los story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
