The long-standing tension between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James recently escalated, culminating in a face-to-face confrontation between the two during a Los Angeles Lakers game.
The reason? According to James, Smith crossed the line when discussing his son, Bronny James. However, Smith has adamantly denied these accusations and is now shedding light on a deeper issue that has fueled their rocky relationship over the years.
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During a recent episode of First Take, Smith revealed that his relationship with James has never been strong, and he has no intention of mending fences anytime soon.
In fact, Smith made it clear that if he never speaks to James again, it wouldn’t be an issue for him.
“We don’t get along,” Smith stated bluntly. “And there’s a multitude of reasons why I’ve alluded to some of them, but we know what the biggest reason is.”
Michael Jordan: The Root of the Rift?
According to Smith, a key factor in his issues with James stems from his unwavering belief that Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time.
“I ain’t Shannon Sharpe. It ain’t GOAT status this way. My GOAT is Michael Jordan… I watch the game. I’m a student of the game. I know a GOAT when I see one,” Smith explained.
This statement reinforces what has been a polarizing debate in basketball history. While James has shattered records, including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, many still believe that Jordan‘s six NBA championships, six Finals MVPs, and unmatched dominance in the 1990s make him the true GOAT.
For Smith, there is no debate-Jordan is the greatest of all time, and his refusal to put James on that pedestal has seemingly fueled resentment from the Lakers star.
LeBron and the GOAT Debate’s Role in the Feud
While some might dismiss Smith’s reasoning as personal preference, the GOAT debate has long been a point of contention between basketball analysts, fans, and even players themselves. James, who has spent nearly two decades chasing Jordan‘s legacy, has consistently downplayed these comparisons while also acknowledging his desire to be recognized as the greatest.
Despite his record-breaking career, James has often faced resistance from traditionalists who remain loyal to Jordan. Smith‘s allegiance to the Chicago Bulls legend appears to be a significant reason why James has always maintained some distance from the outspoken ESPN analyst.
Even with this latest confrontation, Smith has no regrets about his stance. While he has praised James‘ achievements in the past, he refuses to bend his perspective just to mend fences with the four-time NBA champion.
The debate over who truly deserves the GOAT title will likely never have a definitive answer, but what is clear is that for Smith, his loyalty to Jordan has made him an unintentional adversary of LeBron James.
Whether this feud continues to escalate or simply fades away, one thing remains certain: Michael Jordan‘s shadow still looms large over every GOAT discussion, even in 2025.
