If Stephen A. Smith was trying to overcome a now-unknown conflict with Lakers star LeBron James, he wouldn't do that in Wednesday's edition of his self-titled podcast.
After James went to the “Pat McCuffy Show” to call out ESPN Talking Head, Smith spent the entire show ripping James and said he “waves around” NBA legends if things got physical during a conflict in the March 6th Lakers Knicks game in Los Angeles.
“When he was sitting courtside in a game with the New York Knicks and he rolled up to me, I didn't know he was going to roll up to me,” Smith said. “I didn't know, but when he said I had to say I wasn't in a position to not give a retort without making scenes, it was in the third quarter, it was walking towards the basketball court, it was he was walking to national television.
“And while we are raising it, let me state for the record, let me assure you that it wouldn't have come down like that. I would have kicked my ass.
Smith went on to say that he knew nothing like that had happened and that there was no “fear” that would pass through his mind.
The “first take” panelist reiterated that the comments that were believed to have reached under James' skin were not about Hooper's eldest son and Lakers teammate Bronnie James, not about James himself, and not about James himself.
Since Bronnie was drafted by the Lakers last summer, the Nepotism accusations have continued with the rookie, with many questioning whether he is an NBA correspondent and believing that he is just in the league for his father.
Smith discussed his situation with Bronnie, but that was a comment from the January 29th edition of “First Take,” which appears to escalate things between Smith and LeBron.
“I'm suing LeBron James as a father. Stop this,” Smith said. “We all know that Bronnie James is in the NBA for his father. The first game of the season, the opening night, Griffey's attendance, the father-son duo will be performing in the NBA games for the first time.
During his appearance on “McAfee” on Thursday, James said Smith “was completely missing out on the points” and that he was working to “protect” his family and fellow players.
In Smith's almost an hour-long diamond, he hinted at the idea that James knew there was someone filming the interaction, and did a frame-by-frame show to prove that James saw the camera as Hooper left Smith at the cyrpto.com arena.
“I didn't even pick it up first,” Smith said. “He finished his talk and admired the camera. Everyone knew I was there because when you sit courtside, the Lakers are thinking about who will show up. He knows I'm coming, choose three quarters in the middle of the game and say what he's saying to make sure the camera is rolling, then look at the camera after he says what he said right away.
