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Stephen A. Smith. Jim Cowsert/Getty Images

Legendary 'SportsCenter' host rips ESPN's Stephen A. Smith

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Mar 14, 2025 4:38 PM ET

The sports world is still reacting to the viral confrontation between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith. James went up to Smith during the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the New York Knicks and asked the longtime ESPN personality to refrain from mentioning his son Bronny.

Fans and analysts have fallen on both sides of the discussion. Some have said that James was out of line for criticizing a journalist for talking about a current player, and others feel that Smith has singled out James and his son.

One former ESPN host falls in the second category, and he criticized Smith for calling the confrontation "weak."

“OK, first of all, it’s not weak,” said former "SportsCenter" anchor Dan Patrick said on Wednesday's edition of his show (h/t Awful Announcing).

“Because weak would’ve been tweeting something out. He confronted you. So, that’s not weak. He didn’t push him or anything; there were words exchanged.”

Patrick attempted to add more perspective by explaining the rationale behind LeBron wanting to spend one season playing with his son, and how the Lakers have managed things this season.

“It’s not like LeBron sent his son to Afghanistan. His son is on the Lakers, acting like he’s the 55th player drafted. He’s a bench player. He goes back and forth to the G League," Patrick said.

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22, 2024: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and his son Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) sit next to each other on the bench during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Gina Ferazzi/Getty Images

"It felt like it was over and above what needed to be said. We all understand. Bronny’s not going to be in the league when LeBron retires. He’s just not good enough to play. He can be a G League guy. Should’ve stayed another year at USC, but his dad is probably saying, ‘I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna play. I want to play with you.’ This has been his goal."

Patrick also mentioned that Smith seemed to question LeBron's parenting, and that the insinuation about his skills as a father may have led to the nature of the confrontation.

"Once he talks about, ‘I’m pleading with you as a father,’ I can’t," LeBron appeared to say while speaking to Richard Jefferson on Saturday night in Boston.

The issue appears to be resolved, as James now has bigger issues to deal with after suffering a groin injury in that game against the Celtics. We'll see how things play out, but it's clear that Smith's feelings on the matter aren't the same as everyone else's.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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