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ESPN host Stephen A. Smith suggested that LeBron James’ treatment of certain people could be influenced by their race.
Smith, in an interview on “The Pivot Podcast” with Ryan Clark, discussed his recent interactions with James and appeared to reference an incident in which James confronted Smith during a Lakers game in March.
“Have you ever seen LeBron pick on a white boy? Let’s call it that. Have you ever seen him do that? You’ll say you saw him pick on me,” Smith said.
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Stephen A. Smith of ESPN made some interesting comments about NBA star LeBron James. (IMAGINE)
Smith then appeared to address the incident and Smith’s past criticism of how James’ Lakers treated the superstar’s son, Bronny James.
“Anyone who has a professional ethic, who knows the sport and knows what goes with it, knows that I did nothing wrong to this young man. But to describe me as someone who would attack a child, just because I don’t like you, that’s low, that’s low,” Smith said.
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After a Los Angeles Lakers During the game against the New York Knicks in March, Smith revealed that the incident stemmed from his televised criticism of Bronny later in March.
“It wasn’t a basketball player facing me. It was a parent. It was a father,” Smith said. on ESPN. “I can’t sit here and be angry or feel offended by LeBron James in this regard. Obviously, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a father who cares very, very deeply about his son.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and ESPN host Stephen A. Smith speak before a game in Los Angeles on March 3, 2022. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
James opposed the idea in an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN later that month.
“I will never allow people to talk about this sport, to criticize players for what they do on the field. That’s your job – to criticize or be in a position where, okay, a guy is not performing… that’s all part of the game. When you take it and when you get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my damn house, but to protect the players,” James said.
