Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James (Photo by Kirby Lee/Imagn Images) and LeBron James (Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
The 2024-25 regular NBA season witnessed a tense back-and-forth between LeBron James and veteran ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith. The friction came to the surface when LeBron publicly confronted Smith over his comments on Bronny James’ career. The confrontation added fuel to an already strained relationship that has shown no signs of healing.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Stephen A. Smith openly discussed his feelings about LeBron James. Speaking with unapologetic clarity, Smith admitted that there is mutual dislike between them.

“I don’t like him, and he don’t like me. He’s one of the greatest players who’s ever lived. I’m going to show him that respect, and I’m going to cover him objectively. When he does great, I’m gonna applaud. When he doesn’t do great, I’m not gonna applaud,” Smith said.
Stephen A. Smith (Photo via Tommy Gilligan/Imagn Images)

Smith also addressed the incident involving Bronny James. He claimed that LeBron twisted the situation.

“He hid behind his son, tried to make something out of nothing, as if I was dogging his son, which I was not. The real issue was we don’t like each other. And he used that as an excuse to confront me. I got it,” he added.

Stephen A. Smith Slams LeBron James’ Take on Championship Obsession

LeBron James (Photo by Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)

On a recent episode of his podcast Mind the Game, LeBron questioned the NBA’s fixation on ring culture, calling it “weird.” On First Take, Stephen A. Smith dismissed LeBron’s comments. He asserted that the pursuit of championships is and always has been central to NBA greatness.

“If [winning a championship] didn’t mean much or shouldn’t mean much. Why were you so relieved to finally have one? Why did you depart Cleveland to go to Miami?” Smith said.

LeBron moved to Miami in 2010 to form a superteam with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for a championship ring with the team. Hence, like many, Smith also believes championships remain the ultimate proof of a player’s impact.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’