STEPHEN A. Smith has revealed what LeBron James said to him during their heated exchange.
The First Take star was seen courtside in an argument with James on Thursday night.
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Cameras caught the Los Angeles Lakers star fuming at Stephen A, but what was being said couldn’t be heard.
LeBron made his way over to Stephen A. after the Lakers completed a 113-109 overtime win over the New York Knicks.
On Friday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. revealed that LeBron was unhappy with comments he made about his son, Bronny.
“That was Lebron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure that I mind what I say about his son,” he said.
“I can’t repeat the words because they aren’t suited for airwaves.”
Stephen A. said he didn’t want to talk about the incident publicly, but after the clip went viral there was no way around it.
“I thought long and hard about this over the past few hours because I had no intention of talking about this at all,” he said.
“The reason is because it was, I wouldn’t say it was a conversation, but it was a one-on-one confrontation.
“But then I wake up and everybody from ESPN, my agent and everybody else were telling me that this thing had gone viral.
“So ultimately, it was unavoidable. That is why I have to discuss it now.
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father. And I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard.
“By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son.”
While Stephen A. couldn’t be mad at LeBron for sticking up for his son, he said he wouldn’t mince words about anyone in the future.
The First Take star said that it isn’t his job to make friends in the industry.
“I’m not blaming him one bit,” he said.
“I get it. I understand it… But it’s my job to talk about the subjects and the subject matters that matter. I work for ESPN.
“I’m not one of those that get into people’s private affairs but what you do on a public platform for public consumption, that’s what I cover.
“That’s what I do for a living. And if you’re in the NBA, that applies to you.
“I don’t want enemies. I live a very good life. I like to make people laugh and smile and have a good time and all of that other stuff.
“But I also get paid to call it like I see it. And what I said at the time, I stand by what I said.”
