The ongoing feud between NBA superstar LeBron James and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has taken center stage in sports media, drawing both support and criticism from various corners of the basketball community. As tensions rise, NBA legend Charles Barkley has publicly weighed in, deeming the situation detrimental to both parties involved.
It all began when Smith criticized LeBron's son, Bronny James, igniting a firestorm of controversy. LeBron was visibly upset and confronted Smith during a Lakers game, making it clear that he disapproved of the media's treatment of his son. Despite Smith's insistence that his comments were not personal, the situation escalated, leading to a heated exchange between the two on various platforms.
On March 27, 2025, LeBron made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he did not hold back. He called out several media figures, including Smith and NBA insider Brian Windhorst. This bold move drew a strong rebuttal from Smith on his show, First Take, where he defended his stance and criticized LeBron's approach.
Charles Barkley, a long-time admirer of LeBron, expressed his disappointment during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. "They both had an awful week," Barkley said, critiquing LeBron for what he described as bullying behavior. "LeBron, he’s too big to be that type of bully. To bully Stephen A. and to bully Brian Windhorst. Brian Windhorst is a sweet person. He’s just trying to do his thing. And I’ve always liked LeBron, but him being a bully, it turned me off."
Barkley specifically took issue with LeBron's targeting of Windhorst, whom he referred to as a good person. "LeBron pissed me off when he went after Brian Windhorst. Because Brian Windhorst is a good person, man. I don’t know him really, really well, but I think he got a pure heart. He’s just trying to do his job and he’s out here catching strays," Barkley added.
In the midst of this drama, Windhorst responded with grace, stating, "LeBron doesn’t owe me anything. I owe him a lot. He has been a great friend to my hometown and my alma mater. That I would stand on. Anything else, I would never say or never stand on. Just know, I met LeBron 25 years ago. And my understanding of LeBron and where people stand in his life has been crystal clear." This response highlights the respect Windhorst has for LeBron, despite the ongoing feud.
Meanwhile, reactions from the basketball community have varied. Matt Barnes, co-host of the “All the Smoke” podcast, sided with LeBron, praising his unfiltered comments on The Pat McAfee Show. "He’s been getting scrutinized the whole time [he’s been in the NBA] and he finally came out and was just unfiltered," Barnes remarked. He encouraged LeBron to continue expressing himself, stating, "Keep talking your s—. We didn’t get to see this side of Kobe [Bryant] until later. People want to know what it’s really like, and you gave them a glimpse today, man."
As the feud continues to unfold, the implications for both LeBron and Smith remain uncertain. Charles Barkley’s criticism serves as a reminder that public figures like LeBron and Smith have a responsibility to maintain a level of decorum, especially when their actions can impact others. Barkley summarized the situation succinctly: "There are only losers in this scenario. You got the biggest star in the game, you probably got the biggest star on television and they both look bad."
In the world of sports, where emotions run high and rivalries are commonplace, the fallout from this feud could have lasting effects. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how both LeBron and Smith will respond to the growing criticism and whether they can find common ground or if the rift will only deepen.
As for the Lakers, they faced a challenging game against the Chicago Bulls on March 28, 2025, where LeBron's performance was scrutinized amidst the ongoing drama. Reports indicated that the Lakers were slow to start, trailing 32-22 after the first quarter, with LeBron and fellow star Luka Doncic struggling to find their rhythm. However, the team managed to pull ahead by halftime, leading 59-58, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Gabe Vincent.
In the second half, the game took a dramatic turn. A bad inbound pass from LeBron was intercepted by Josh Giddey, who assisted Coby White for a three-pointer that gave the Bulls a 116-115 lead with only seconds remaining. This moment added to the scrutiny of LeBron's performance, as commentators noted it as one of the worst 10 seconds of his career.
As the Lakers navigate this turbulent period, both on and off the court, the stakes are high. With LeBron's legacy and the team's performance on the line, fans are left wondering how this saga will unfold. Will LeBron continue to engage in the feud, or will he shift his focus back to basketball? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the basketball world is watching closely.
