Stephen A. Smith on LeBron James: “We Don’t Like Each Other. The World Needs to Know That” — But Fans Don’t Care Anymore

Sports media loves a good rivalry, and few deliver like the one between ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and NBA icon LeBron James. This week, Smith dropped a bombshell in an interview that has everyone talking, or at least scrolling past it.

He laid out his feelings plain and simple, but the real twist? A lot of basketball followers seem ready to move on from the whole thing. Let's get right into the details!

The Latest Shot in the Long-Running Feud

Stephen A. Smith sat down with Graham Bensinger on the podcast "In Depth with Graham Bensinger" for a chat that aired on 26th February 2026. At 58, Smith didn't hold back when the topic turned to his rocky history with the 41-year-old Lakers star. "We don't like each other. The world needs to know that," Smith declared, adding that he hoped James was tuning in.

He brought up old wounds, saying James "crossed the line" over comments involving his son, Bronny James. Smith insisted he never did what James accused him of, calling it "unfair and a low blow."

Stephen A Smith with a message to LeBron James:

"We don't like each other. The world needs to know that.. I hope he's watching. I think he crossed the line with the incident involving his son. I don't think I did what he said I was doing. I thought that was unfair and a low… pic.twitter.com/vqO4cXZMB9

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 26, 2026

This isn't fresh beef. The two have traded barbs for years through TV segments, social media, and public appearances. Smith, known for his fiery takes on "First Take," has often questioned James's decisions on and off the court. James, a four-time NBA champion, has pushed back, sometimes directly. But this interview feels like Smith airing it all out as James's career winds down, with the Lakers forward now in his 23rd season.

Recapping the Bronny Incident That Started It All

The feud hit a peak almost a year ago, on March 6, 2025, during a Lakers game against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. Smith was sitting courtside when James approached him mid-game.

Reports say it stemmed from Smith's on-air criticism of Bronny, who had just entered the NBA draft and later joined the Lakers. James reportedly confronted Smith over those remarks, leading to a tense exchange caught on camera.

Things escalated further when James appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and mocked Smith. Smith fired back on his own platforms, accusing James of trying to damage his reputation.

In the Bensinger interview, Smith hinted at behind-the-scenes moves by James that could have hurt his career, though he stopped short of specifics. "I can't talk about it, but that's exactly what I said," Smith noted. He credits colleagues for helping him let go of the anger.

Bronny, now 21, has become a flashpoint. Smith's critiques focused on whether the young player was ready for the pros, sparking debates about nepotism in the league. James, fiercely protective of his family, saw it as a personal attack.

Smith's Mixed Message: Hate and Respect

Despite the bad blood, Smith didn't just rant. He balanced his dislike with genuine praise for James's achievements. "As I see his career dwindling, it's important everyone knows that I know how great he is," Smith said.

Screenshot from NBA Courtside's post/X

He called James one of the top players ever, crediting him for boosting basketball's popularity and giving analysts like himself endless material. "People like me have benefited because he gives us something to talk about," Smith admitted. He even acknowledged James's off-court impact, from community work to entertaining millions.

Smith emphasized that their personal issues don't erase James's legacy. "Just because he and I have a difference, doesn't mean he's not a good man," he added. It's a rare moment of nuance from someone famous for bold opinions. Smith also mentioned his daughters adore James, which forced him to separate the player from the person. "Time heals everything," he concluded.

Fans Roll Their Eyes at the Drama

Social media lit up after the clip dropped, but not always in excitement. On X, formerly Twitter, a post from NBA Courtside sharing the video racked up over 1.9 million views and nearly 800 replies. Many users expressed exhaustion.

One fan wrote, "Can we wrap ts up man?" with a meme of someone looking bored, earning over 1,200 likes. Another said, "STILL talking about this. SMH. For not liking someone as much as he says he does he's the only one still name dropping Bron."

Screenshot from NBA Courtside's post/X

Others pointed out the irony: "He said 'but I don't talk about it anymore' as he is talking about it," complete with laughing emojis. Comments like "The world totally doesn't need to know your relationship status to Lebron James" and "He says it like they are rivals. Lebron doesn't really care about you like that" highlight a common sentiment that Smith is keeping the feud alive while James stays quiet.

YouTube reactions to related clips echoed this. One viewer called Smith a "diva" for reacting strongly to criticism after dishing it out for years. With James focused on his final seasons and the NBA playoffs approaching, many fans prefer highlights over this personal spat. The buzz is there, but the eye-rolls are louder.

What do you think?