LeBron James Just HUMILIATED Stephen A. Smith on Instagram — You Have to See This!

The ongoing feud between NBA superstar LeBron James and ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith has escalated, with LeBron recently taking to social media to mock Smith’s boxing skills. This public spat began earlier this year and has since captivated fans and media alike.​

Origins of the Feud

The tension between LeBron and Stephen A. ignited on March 6, 2025, during a Los Angeles Lakers game against the New York Knicks. LeBron confronted Smith courtside over critical remarks the commentator made about LeBron’s son, Bronny James, who had recently joined the Lakers. Smith had questioned Bronny’s readiness for the NBA, suggesting that his selection was primarily due to his father’s influence. This did not sit well with LeBron, who approached Smith during the game to express his displeasure.​

Public Exchanges and Apologies

Following their courtside encounter, the dispute spilled into various media platforms. LeBron addressed the situation on “The Pat McAfee Show,” criticizing Smith for making personal comments about his family. He likened Smith’s public discussions about their confrontation to a “Taylor Swift tour run,” implying that Smith was excessively capitalizing on the incident. In response, Smith defended his remarks, stating that his critiques were directed at LeBron’s handling of Bronny’s career and not at Bronny personally. The situation intensified when Smith falsely claimed on ESPN’s “First Take” that LeBron did not attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial service in 2020. This statement was later corrected, with Smith issuing a public apology for the misinformation. However, he maintained his other criticisms of LeBron.​

LeBron’s Social Media Retaliation

The feud took a more personal turn when LeBron posted an old video on Instagram of Stephen A. Smith participating in a boxing training session. Accompanied by multiple laughing emojis and the caption “WHOMP WHOMP WHOMPPPPPPPP,” LeBron’s post was a clear jab at Smith’s boxing prowess. This act of trolling garnered reactions from various celebrities, including actor Jamie Foxx and rapper DaBaby, who joined in the online banter.​

Stephen A. Smith’s Response

Smith addressed LeBron’s social media post on “First Take,” acknowledging that the boxing video was not his best display due to an injury at the time. He reiterated his stance on the original criticisms and suggested that LeBron’s real issue stemmed from Smith’s refusal to consider him the greatest NBA player over Michael Jordan. Smith emphasized that he would not back down from his opinions and that he intends to continue his commentary unabated.​

Conclusion

The public exchange between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith highlights the complexities of media personalities critiquing athletes, especially when family members are involved. As both individuals stand firm in their positions, it remains to be seen how this feud will evolve and what impact it may have on their professional relationship moving forward.