Internet users did not hesitate to call Smith a “coward” for his reaction to LeBron.
Stephen A. Smith found himself in the crosshairs of social media after his rather tepid reaction to LeBron James’ handshake at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. The ESPN analyst, along with colleagues Malika Andrews, Kendrick Perkins, and Bob Myers, was greeted by the Lakers star ahead of a game where James was just nine points shy of reaching 40,000 career points.
While James warmly acknowledged the analysts, Smith’s reaction appeared jittery, leading fans to criticize him online. One fan called him a “coward,” suggesting that Smith’s reaction was less than enthusiastic.
The incident came after Smith had previously criticized James for drawing attention to his son, Bronny, following some mock drafts that didn’t include his name.
Smith’s blunt statement on the matter had stirred controversy, and fans speculated that his subdued reaction to meeting James was a result of this tension.
Stephen A Smith energy changed up quick when Bron pulled up lmao pic.twitter.com/gwJFj0gSoS
— ⚜️SSB⚜️ (@SSBKlutch) March 3, 2024
Smith was rather shy in the presence of James
During the game, as James approached the analysts while they were on air, Perkins and the others showed excitement, but Smith’s demeanor remained reserved. This led to further speculation about any potential history of tension between Smith and James.
Smith has not shied away from criticizing James in the past. He recently blamed the Lakers star for the decline of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, stating that LeBron James’ refusal to participate had a significant impact on the event’s popularity.
Smith also criticized James’ involvement in his son’s basketball career, suggesting that the attention Bronny received was due to his father’s influence.
Despite his controversial opinions, Smith’s outspoken nature has made him a prominent figure in sports media. It remains to be seen if Smith and James will address their differences in the future.
Stephen A Smith energy changed up quick when Bron pulled up lmao pic.twitter.com/gwJFj0gSoS
— ⚜️SSB⚜️ (@SSBKlutch) March 3, 2024
