Stephen A. Smith Details Reaction If LeBron James Tiff Got Physical

This week, the LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith saga hit a new chapter. The First Take host outlined how he would’ve handled their infamous altercation if it got physical, and the four-time MVP responded via social media shortly after hitting a buzzer beater against the Indiana Pacers.

LBJ went on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday afternoon (March 26) and called out SAS for clinging to the situation and “missing the point.” From his perspective, he was simply protecting his household after the polarizing sports analyst repeatedly critiqued his son and teammate, Bronny James, as well as himself for maneuvering Bronny’s draft situation so he could join the Los Angeles Lakers alongside his father.

Smith jumped on his self-titled podcast hours after these comments, added more context to their brief interaction, and took his most adversarial stance yet. “When he approached me sitting courtside at that game against the New York Knicks, when he rolled up on me I didn’t know he was gonna roll up on me,” he said. “I had no idea, but when he said what he had to say I was in no position to give any kind of retort without making a scene.” He reminded listeners that the game was on national television, so with cameras all around them, his reaction could have been as inflammatory as Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

“And let me state for the record while we bring up that, let me assure you it wouldn’t have gone down like that,” Stephen A. Smith added. “I would have gotten my a** kicked because if that man put his hands on me I would’ve immediately swung on him. Immediately. That I’m not going to tolerate.” At one point in the show, he straight up said that he did not like LeBron James, and the feeling was reciprocated.

Social media erupted with takes as the 57-year-old personality’s comments circulated the internet, so much so that he had to post a tweet to clarify his stance. “Nice try folks. On my show, I said I would’ve swung on @KingJames had he slapped me — like lots of y’all said I was scared he would’ve done a few weeks ago,” he wrote. “I also said immediately after that I would’ve gotten my a** thoroughly kicked by the 6’8”, 250lb Goliath, but folks just left that part of my Youtube sentence out, huh? Okay. Have fun!”

Timing was not on Smith’s side; hours later, James made a buzzer-beater tip-in off a Luka Doncic missed floater to give the Los Angeles Lakers the victory over the Indiana Pacers. The father of three leaned into the vibes and posted a video on Instagram of the ESPN host doing boxing workouts in a living room. Per the footage, he looked less than equipped to handle himself if the altercation, or any situation, if it came to fisticuffs. In the second slide of the post, he shared the popular reaction video where Young Dolph and Key Glock say “Womp, womp, womp” before breaking out into impassioned laughter.