Stephen A. Smith on why he and LeBron James don't get along

Some in the basketball world are still talking about the beef between LeBron James and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. Smith made some comments several weeks ago about James' supposed involvement in his son Bronny's NBA career and having the younger James shuttle back and forth between the NBA and the G League. James recently confronted Smith during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena for making those comments.

Smith has attempted to clarify what he said and make it clear that he never disrespected the younger James. But the apparent friction remains between the two.

The sportscaster went on "The Stephen A. Smith Show" and again asserted that his initial comments were directed at the elder James and not the 20-year-old rookie guard.

"You see, I don't run and hide. If I'm wrong, I'll say I'm wrong," he said. "If I'm right. I'm right. I was never [expletive] on Bronny James. I wouldn't do that to the James family. I was talking about one person, and one person only.
"We may never speak in life again. I'm fine with it. I get paid to talk about folks, not to them. I cover the league. You play, I watch, dissect, analyze and broadcast…"

Smith even said that one reason he and the elder James don't get along well is he doesn't consider the four-time MVP the greatest NBA player ever.

"We don't get along. And there's a multitude of reason why I have alluded to some of them, but we know what the biggest reason is. I ain't Shannon Sharpe. It ain't GOAT (greatest of all time) status this way.
"My GOAT is Michael Jordan. ... [James] Ain't my GOAT. I watch the game. I'm a student of the game. I know a GOAT when I see one."

If the elder James has some animosity toward Smith just because Smith won't anoint him as the greatest to ever play the game, that would be a petty reason to not like a specific person who covers the game.

Regardless, Smith has praised him on the air many times over the years, such as when he said earlier this month that Jordan didn't sustain a peak level of performance as long as the 40-year-old elder James has.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Stephen A. Smith on why he and LeBron James don't get along

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