“LeBron and I will never like each other”—Stephen A. Smith opens up about his relation with him

They’ve shared the same court, but they’ll never share respect. Stephen A. Smith pulls no punches when he admits, “LeBron and I will never like each other.” Yet, behind the tension lies a calculated partnership: Smith has helped keep First Take at No.

1 for 13 years, even in the wake of his feud with LeBron James. As he teases politics, passion, and provocation, the question remains: is this all strategy? Or is the real story much deeper?

Why Stephen A. Smith claims the LeBron James feud has fueled First Take’s 13-year dominance

Stephen A. Smith makes it clear that this feud is much more than just a trivial rivalry—it's a source of energy. He notes that despite the attention-grabbing debates, such as 'James vs. Jordan' or his views on Colin Kaepernick, they represent less than 10% of First Take's nearly 450 hours of airtime each year.

However, those heated moments drive a lot of clicks. Smith acknowledges — “People peel out what they want to peel out,” and with ratings averaging 496,000 viewers in 2023—a high point for the show—it’s working.But it isn’t mindless clickbait. Smith, who served as both lead host and executive producer, defends the range of show topics — football, basketball, cultural issues, and more, all while maintaining authenticity and “deadly serious” takes.

Says Smith: “I mean what I say and I say what I mean… Unless I’m openly joking.”The feud scales a new level when it drifts into family territory. Smith went after LeBron’s parenting during a courtside confrontation—chiding the Lakers star for allegedly placing “overwhelming expectations” on his son, Bronny James, the 55th pick in last year’s draft. James responded forcefully, confronting Smith with the words: “stop fucking with my son”.

Critics—Shannon Sharpe among them—called it a blunder, suggesting Smith should just let it go, but Smith insisted on air that he’d even "swing" at James if he was physically confronted.The personal touch really boosted audience engagement, but it also sparked some backlash. Some people called out Smith for bringing private family issues into the public eye. Nevertheless, he stands by his decision, arguing that it’s crucial for genuine, thought-provoking conversations—even if it means stepping over some boundaries.

The disagreement with LeBron isn’t the only trouble brewing. On that same platform, Smith disclosed that he’s open to getting involved in politics—but not as a career politician. He emphasized that he never intended to run, but he’s left the possibility open for influencing things behind the scenes and endorsing candidates. Calling himself a centrist, he asserts that he agrees with both Democrats and Republicans—but he doesn’t want to deal with the costs of political office, like losing his personal wealth.Stephen A. Smith’s dynamic with LeBron James isn’t just background noise—it’s a whole narrative. The animosity is palpable, but so is the strategy behind it. For 13 years, their controversial confrontations, heated debates, and divisive commentary haven’t merely taken up airtime—they’ve forged an empire.Also Read: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one game away from something the NBA has rarely seenWhile Smith’s future may extend beyond the studio, his current focus is on the spectacle, fueled by authenticity and audience demand. Whether this is merely a precursor to a political shift—or the pinnacle of his broadcasting career—one thing is for sure: Stephen A. Smith has embraced the challenge, and he’s ready to stay in the thick of it.