LeBron James Takes Aim at Stephen A. Smith, Compares ESPN Analyst’s Media Blitz to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour After Bronny James Controversy

LeBron James Shades Stephen A. Smith with Taylor Swift Tour Jab Amid Ongoing Feud Over Bronny Criticism

Los Angeles, CA – March 26, 2025 – The ongoing feud between NBA superstar LeBron James and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith took a sharp turn this week when James threw some pointed shade at Smith, comparing the analyst’s recent media appearances to Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour. The comment, made during an interview on the Pat McAfee Show, comes on the heels of a heated courtside confrontation earlier this month and reignites tensions over Smith’s criticism of LeBron’s son, Bronny James, and his role with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The drama began on March 7, 2025, during a Lakers game against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. LeBron, visibly frustrated, confronted Smith courtside over comments the ESPN personality had made about Bronny, a rookie with the Lakers and LeBron’s eldest son. Smith had previously questioned the pressure placed on Bronny by playing alongside his father, suggesting the 19-year-old needed more development time in the G League. According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, LeBron scolded Smith, telling him to stop talking about his son in a moment Smith later described on First Take as a “confrontation” rather than a casual conversation. “That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent, that was a father,” Smith said, defending his stance while insisting he never spoke negatively about Bronny himself.

The confrontation sparked a firestorm of media attention, with Smith doubling down on his critique of LeBron’s influence in Bronny’s NBA journey. On March 18, Marca reported that Smith even brought LeBron’s wife, Savannah James, into the conversation, claiming he had avoided covering Bronny out of respect for the family. “I have video documentation with me refusing to cover Bronny, never watching him out of respect for the family,” Smith stated, adding, “But me and LeBron? We don’t roll like that. He ain’t have much use for me, and I damn sure don’t have much use for him.”

LeBron, however, wasn’t ready to let the issue slide. During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on March 26, the four-time NBA champion took a jab at Smith’s high-profile media presence, saying, “He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now… He couldn’t wait for the video to come out.” The quip, which drew laughter from the show’s hosts, referenced Smith’s earlier admission of spending $20,000 on Taylor Swift concert tickets, a detail that had already made waves online. The comparison painted Smith as someone chasing the spotlight, a subtle dig at the analyst’s role in their ongoing feud.

The comment quickly gained traction on social media, with TMZ posting about the exchange on X at 18:03 UTC on March 26. The post, which linked to a full article, garnered varied reactions from users. @Crypto God wrote, “Bron throwing shade ,” while @DawnPezzuto called the situation “Hysterical.” Others, like @Sandria_1, simply reacted with a laughing emoji, and @handofthebeggar made a cryptic comment, “Diddyfied crazy,” possibly referencing unrelated celebrity drama.

The feud has deeper roots than just the courtside clash. According to a Daily Mail Online report from March 1, LeBron had already expressed frustration with NBA media coverage, particularly after Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards stated he wasn’t interested in being the “face of the league.” Smith had clapped back at LeBron’s comments, calling them “BS” and arguing that LeBron didn’t match the legacy of past NBA legends in certain aspects. This broader tension between LeBron and the media set the stage for the Bronny controversy, with Smith becoming a lightning rod for LeBron’s frustrations.

On Reddit’s r/nba community, fans dissected LeBron’s Taylor Swift jab with enthusiasm. A post by u/D1HATER3002, which received 890 votes and 137 comments, highlighted the hilarity of the situation. One user remarked, “Stephen A definitely salivating at the content he’s about to milk out of this,” while another noted, “LeBron is completely in his head right now.” Others compared Smith’s approach to that of Skip Bayless, a known LeBron critic, with one commenter stating, “Stephen A went farther than Skip ever did. Skip obviously is just a hater but it’s for the most part strictly basketball.”

For LeBron, the feud is personal. As a father, he has been vocal about protecting his family from media scrutiny, especially when it comes to Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers in June 2024 after a single season at USC. LeBron’s dream of playing alongside his son in the NBA has been a polarizing topic, with critics like Smith arguing it places undue pressure on the young player. LeBron, however, has consistently pushed back against such narratives, even deleting social media posts in the past to avoid fueling speculation about Bronny’s draft projection.

As the saga continues, the basketball world is watching closely. Will Stephen A. Smith respond to LeBron’s latest jab, or will he let the Taylor Swift comparison slide? One thing is certain: this feud is far from over, and with both LeBron and Smith commanding massive platforms, their next exchange is sure to make headlines.