LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith continue NBA drama with new leaked audio

Another chapter in the ongoing feud between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and sports commentator Stephen A. Smith has just begun. The basketball player and the journalist had already made headlines for a minor altercation last week during the Lakers vs. Knicks game that went viral.

Now, LeBron James is back in the spotlight due to a conversation with former NBA player Richard Jefferson. The leaked audio has spread all over the web. In it, they once again touch on the incident between LeBron and Stephen A. Smith.

LeBron James defends himself

The NBA was shaken last week when a clip of LeBron James approaching Stephen A. Smith went viral. According to the commentator, LeBron confronted him about some comments he made regarding LeBron’s son and Lakers rookie, Bronny. Since Bronny joined the team, the criticisms and comments have been relentless, many of them coming directly from Stephen A. Smith.

Well, a new chapter in this saga has opened. An audio between LeBron James and Richard Jefferson was leaked, specifically about the confrontation with Smith. LeBron told Jefferson that he didn’t mind Stephen A. Smith’s comments. But when the commentator asked for Bronny’s NBA career to end “as a father,” that was the last straw.

“I know… Right, right, right. It’s the only thing that trips me up. I don’t give a damn. Once he says, ‘I’m begging you as a father,’ I can’t,” LeBron James said in the leaked audio.

The drama continues

A couple of weeks ago, on ESPN’s sports show First Take, Stephen A. Smith made a plea to LeBron James. To heat things up even more, the commentator said that Bronny playing a lot in the NBA was an embarrassment to basketball.

This angered LeBron James, as he usually remains calm and unfazed by criticism, but these comments made him lose his patience. Smith addressed the issue again on the same show. He also revealed the confrontation with LeBron. At the same time, he said he asked LeBron not to speak ill of Bronny without reason.

The feud escalates

Although the commentator understood LeBron James, he refused to retract his statement and insisted that it wasn’t against Bronny. Moreover, the criticism was aimed at Mr. LeBron James as a father. The situation between these two continues to escalate.

Despite the Lakers’ 8-game winning streak, an injury to LeBron James now threatens to cut their winning rhythm. However, some, like Stephen A. Smith, believe that James’ absence on the court could be beneficial for the Lakers.

“I think this will end up helping the Los Angeles Lakers when the playoffs come around… He has that kind of impact on the players in the locker room and while he’s sitting on the bench with them.”

On the other hand, he believes it’s a golden opportunity for Doncic to take the reins of the game and the pressure will be on him. With LeBron James absent for one or two weeks, Luka will have to carry the team’s offense on his shoulders.