Footage of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James confronting ESPN’s “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith went viral last week. The Lakers were in New York facing the Knicks and James appeared to approach Smith with choice words during a timeout.
Smith later revealed on his podcast that James confronted him on behalf of his son, Lakers guard Bronny James. Smith has been critical of the younger James, at times questioning the legitimacy of his place in the NBA.
According to Smith, James confronted him as an upset “father” and not as a basketball player.
What Did Ryan Clark Say About LeBron James, Stephen A. Smith’s Confrontation?
Opinions on the confrontation vary; however, the relationship between professional athletes and members of the media remains fragile. Former Super Bowl champion Ryan Clark had a measured take on the current drama.
“I would never compare myself to LeBron James and what he’s accomplished, the stress and the critique that’s come along with being who he is,” Clark said on The Pivot Podcast. “That’s a different level of scrutiny and expectation that he’s had as opposed to other athletes.
“I do understand the father part, though, because I got three babies. I’ll kill for mine. More importantly, I’ll die for them. And so, I understand wanting to protect them. … One of Pops’ famous lines on [the movie] ‘Friday’ was, ‘No, baby, let him be a man.’ LeBron has to let Bronny be a man,” Clark said.
I’m not LeBron, but I am a father; & I’m willing to die for mine. I get approaching SAS as a father, but he wasn’t “only” protecting his seed. He was speaking on behalf of another professional athlete who SAS is paid to analyze. Granted, Bronny gets criticized more than any other… pic.twitter.com/VEIYbe66Cl
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) March 10, 2025
Bronny, who has faced increased scrutiny since entering the league, has appeared in 18 contests for the Lakers this season and is averaging 1.4 points per game in a little over four minutes of action.
“LeBron did what he needed to do, but what about Bronny James?” Clark asked. “… Bronny James for a 55th overall pick, for a guy who’s played well in the [NBA] G League and been on the bench and got some minutes in the NBA, he is more negatively critiqued and analyzed than any player who would be picked in that position that does the job the way that he does it.
“But he’s also praised more. He’s also been drafted in a place that his résumé probably didn’t say he should have been drafted in. He’s also benefitted in NIL [Name, Image, and Likeness deals] when he only averaged [4.8] points per game [in college]. He has marketing and commercials and publicity and following and get paid away from the court … because you are LeBron James’ son.”
The pressure to perform at a high level will continue to be placed on the younger James. He is the son of a living legend. But to Bronny’s credit, he continues to improve, and he has put together a solid stint in the G League by averaging 20.6 points and 5.1 assists in nine regular season contests for the South Bay Lakers.