Stephen A. Smith: LeBron James Tried to Ruin My Career

Things just got heated between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James. In a recent appearance on ‘7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony,’ Smith dropped a bombshell, claiming that LeBron James has actively tried to sabotage his career over the years. This goes beyond their recent public spats; Smith alleges a decade-long private campaign.

A Decade of Alleged Sabotage

Smith didn’t hold back, stating, ‘I don’t like his ass, not even a little bit. You do not understand the lengths this man would go to.’ He believes James presents one public persona while privately working against him. ‘If it were up to him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,’ Smith declared, suggesting James has tried to hinder his success for over ten years.

The Courtside Confrontation

Smith specifically recalled a tense courtside encounter earlier this year during a Lakers vs. Knicks game. He felt the interaction, where James confronted him, was orchestrated. ‘The day that he rolled up on me courtside, it was the day my contract was announced, that I had stayed at ESPN,’ Smith explained.

He questioned the limited camera angles of the incident, noting, ‘How is it we got one angle and the only angle you see was of him and his face?’ Smith concluded that he felt ‘set-up’ by the situation, implying it was a calculated move by James.

Race and Criticism

This isn’t the first time Smith has spoken out about his dynamic with James. On a previous appearance on the ‘Pivot’ podcast, Smith accused James of treating him differently because he is Black. He pointed to James’ public criticisms of figures like Brian Windhorst, a long-time reporter who has covered him since junior high, contrasting it with James’ direct confrontation with Smith.

‘You ever see LeBron go at a white boy?’ Smith asked, suggesting James is less likely to publicly challenge white journalists compared to Black ones. He believes James used the Pat McAfee situation as an opportunity to criticize Windhorst, calling it the ‘closest you ever came to seeing him do something like that’ towards a white person.

A History of Beef

The tension between Smith and James has been simmering for years, with Smith often being a vocal critic of James’ play and decisions. The feud intensified following the Lakers drafting James’ son, Bronny, in 2024, when Smith made critical remarks about the 21-year-old.