Stephen A. Smith accuses LeBron James of going harder at Black critics than white journalists on The Pivot podcast [VIDEO]
Stephen A. Smith reignites his feud with LeBron James, claiming the NBA star saves his sharpest clapbacks for Black media figures — a statement that’s now dividing fans and journalists across social media.
During a new appearance on The Pivot Podcast, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith reignited his long-simmering feud with LeBron James, accusing the Lakers star of responding more aggressively to Black critics than to white journalists.
In the six-minute segment — recorded during yesterday’s (October 17) episode hosted by Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor — Smith bluntly stated:
“You ever see LeBron go at a white boy like he did with me? Let’s call it what it is. The only time he did was when he was making fun of Brian Windhorst — and that’s someone who supported him since high school.”
Smith’s comment reignited debate about his ongoing back-and-forth with LeBron, which began earlier this month after the ESPN host criticized Bronny James’ NBA readiness. LeBron publicly defended his son on The Pat McAfee Show, leading to an in-person confrontation between the two that witnesses described as “heated but professional.”
The Pivot interview, however, escalated things further — turning what began as a sports discussion into a racial and cultural flashpoint across the basketball world.
The Spark: Bronny, Boundaries, and “Doing My Job”
Stephen A.’s dispute with LeBron began after he suggested Bronny James might not be ready for the NBA, arguing the Lakers drafted him largely to honor LeBron’s legacy.
“I didn’t criticize Bronny’s heart condition, his college stats, or his McDonald’s All-American selection,” Smith said during the podcast. “But when LeBron said we shouldn’t talk about his son after a poor debut — that’s where I drew the line.”
Stephen A. defended his comments as professional, not personal:
“I said what I said as a father. LeBron took it as disrespect. But telling the media not to do our jobs? That’s not how this works.”
James’ response — calling Stephen A.’s remarks “out of bounds” — prompted Smith to take the issue public, claiming LeBron tried to silence criticism that’s part of sports journalism. On The Pivot, he doubled down, accusing LeBron of picking who he confronts based on race.
“I’m a fair-minded Black man. But if you only clap back at Black journalists, what does that say about who you feel safe challenging?”
“I’m Too Little, Too Meaningless” — The Confrontation
Smith revealed on The Pivot that he and LeBron spoke privately after their intense exchange, but claims the conversation ended with LeBron refusing further dialogue.
“He told people he’s done talking about me,” Smith said. “That’s fine. But don’t act like I haven’t been fair. If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize publicly. Until then, stand on your words like I stand on mine.”
He continued by boasting that, in 30 years of media work, no one’s accused him of dodging tough topics — before warning that if another confrontation happens, he’ll “be better ready.”
“If we meet again, I promise you — be better ready next time,” he said, pointing at the camera with emphasis.
A Deeper Divide: Race, Critique, and the NBA Media
Stephen A.’s comments sparked immediate backlash because of how they framed race within sports criticism. While LeBron has clashed with various journalists, from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst to Fox’s Skip Bayless, Smith claimed James only becomes visibly angry with Black peers like himself or Kwame Brown.
Critics quickly flipped that argument back on Smith, accusing him of hypocrisy — noting his own track record of going easier on white athletes.
Many pointed to Stephen A.’s past coverage of Aaron Rodgers, where he downplayed Rodgers’ COVID-19 vaccine controversy, compared to his harsh condemnation of Kyrie Irving for similar behavior. Others recalled Smith once joking that his white former co-host Max Kellerman was “blacker than him,” a line that resurfaced in dozens of reposted clips following the new interview.
The tension also reflects a deeper cultural divide in NBA coverage:
- Stephen A. Smith represents old-guard media rooted in debate, access, and provocation.
- LeBron, through platforms like The Shop and Uninterrupted, represents athlete-controlled storytelling, bypassing traditional sports commentary altogether.
Smith’s attempt to reframe their feud through a racial lens exposed how fragile the relationship between players and pundits has become — particularly when both claim to speak for “the culture.”
X Reacts: Critics Call Out “The Race Card”
The clip, originally posted to X by @TheDunkCentral, has surpassed 2 million views, sparking heated debates. Over 700 quote posts and 500 replies show how divided fans are on whether Stephen A.’s point holds weight or just fuels unnecessary division.
Common Themes in Reactions
1. Calling Out Hypocrisy:
“Race card against your own race — this some inception-level hypocrisy.”
“He’s mad LeBron clapped back but forgot he made a career clowning Kyrie and Kaep.”
2. Defending LeBron’s Boundaries:
“Nobody told Stephen A. to talk to LeBron as a father. That’s where he crossed the line.”
“LeBron never said don’t do your job — he said don’t drag my family into it.”
3. Political Accusations:
“Stephen A. been tap dancing for conservative approval for years. Now he wants to be the victim?”
“This is what happens when you mix sports debate with Fox News energy.”
4. Limited Support for Stephen A. Smith:
“He’s not wrong. Black men do police each other harder — it’s cultural conditioning.”
“His delivery was messy, but the underlying truth stings.”
Overall, sentiment on X is roughly 80% critical, 10% supportive, and 10% neutral, according to aggregated engagement patterns from reposts across @mymixtapez, @TheDunkCentral, and other entertainment profiles.
The Bigger Picture: Ego and Accountability in the Age of Athlete Media
Stephen A. Smith’s remarks fit neatly into his long-established persona — bold, unfiltered, and polarizing. But the fallout reveals how blurred the lines have become between criticism and confrontation in the digital era.
In an NBA ecosystem where players own their media narratives, Smith’s old-school authority feels increasingly challenged. LeBron, meanwhile, continues to navigate the tension between being both a father and a global brand, where family criticism inevitably feels personal.
Still, Smith insists the issue is about professionalism — not personal emotion or race.
“This isn’t about being Black or white,” he said in the full interview. “It’s about doing your job and holding everyone accountable — even the great LeBron James.”
The irony, though, isn’t lost on fans — that in trying to call out bias, Smith may have exposed his own.
The post Stephen A. Smith accuses LeBron James of going harder at Black critics than white journalists on The Pivot podcast [VIDEO] appeared first on Hip Hop Vibe.
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