ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith addressed one of the most common criticisms hurled at him by viewers, vehemently denying that he is biased in favor of NBA superstar LeBron James. The exchange occurred on his show as Smith responded to a caller who accused him of “stroking LeBron.”
Smith, known for his emphatic delivery and bombastic takes, has frequently faced accusations from fans who believe he gives preferential treatment to the Los Angeles Lakers forward, often placing him above other all-time greats.
“I am not going to sit here and be accused of stroking LeBron James,” Smith declared, directly addressing the caller’s provocative language. He then listed an extensive catalog of his own past critiques of James, citing specific instances of the star’s on-court decisions, off-court actions, and the long-running Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate where Smith consistently ranks Michael Jordan ahead of James.
Do NOT accuse Stephen A. Smith of "stroking" LeBron James or anybody else, "especially another dude" pic.twitter.com/KBViuWOvn2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 13, 2025
The recent public feud between Smith and James, which stemmed from Smith’s criticism of James’ son, Bronny James, and a subsequent viral courtside confrontation between the two, added a renewed layer of tension to the discussion. Smith pointed to his willingness to clash with James as proof of his professional independence.
“Do I respect him? Absolutely. Do I believe he’s one of the greatest ever? Absolutely,” Smith continued. “But if you think I’m afraid to tell LeBron James he’s wrong, you haven’t been watching the show.”
The exchange underscores the unique dynamic between influential sports media figures and the athletes they cover, a dynamic often complicated by personal relationships and the demands of modern sports commentary. Smith, who recently signed a new lucrative contract with ESPN, remains one of the industry’s most polarizing and talked-about figures, often capitalizing on the very controversies he creates or responds to.
