LeBron James’ agent has defended the NBA star over his courtside clash with Stephen A. Smith, insisting pundits can cross a line with their criticism.

But Rich Paul insists the feud is over, claiming James and his team have ‘moved on’ from the heated confrontation.

The Lakers star came face to face with the ‘First Take’ host, who was in the crowd for Los Angeles’ win over the Knicks last week.

It followed a number of exchanges in the media and Smith later explained that LeBron had taken issue with comments he made about his son, Bronny James.

‘That was Lebron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure that I mind what I say about his son,’ the ESPN star revealed. ‘I can’t repeat the words because they aren’t suited for airwaves.’

Paul was asked about the confrontation on Tuesday, during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul has defended the NBA star over his clash with Stephen A. Smith

Cameras caught James having a heated exchange with ESPN star Smith last week

The Los Angeles star and ESPN pundit had previously been exchanging words about the NBA 

The agent attempted to play down the feud. But Paul does believe that analysts can be guilty of getting too personal in their comments on star players. 

‘I didn’t think it was much but as adults you try to handle things the best way possible so I was glad they were able to move on,’ he said.

‘But it’s tough – any time you have media platforms and there’s so many today and these guys… as much as (they) critique, sometimes it can be felt as if it’s a little bit more than that. 

‘So there’s a balance there to try to maintain. I just try to focus on the business of it and keep the personal stuff away. 

‘But sometimes you have those things, but we have moved on – it was a dust-up and we moved on.’

A new clip, which emerged after the confrontation, appears to show LeBron James discussing his beef with the ‘First Take’ host.

In the footage, James is seen talking to Smith’s ESPN colleague Richard Jefferson before the Lakers’ game against the Celtics on Saturday.

‘That’s the only thing I’m tripping,’ James could be heard saying. ‘I don’t give a f***. Once he talks about: “I’m pleading to you as a father”. I can’t.’

A new clip appears to show LeBron James discussing his beef with the First Take host

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The 40-year-old appeared to be making reference to Smith’s comments from earlier this year, when the ESPN host took aim at LeBron after Bronny was drafted by the Lakers.

‘I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be toward LeBron James, one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball,’ Smith said. 

‘I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.’

Smith insisted Bronny belonged in the G League but claimed he was ‘rooting’ for the ‘wonderful kid’. ‘I wish him nothing but the best,’ the ESPN star added.

People close to James reached out to Smith over his comments, ‘talking to me about questioning him as a father,’ the ESPN host revealed. Smith said that ‘p***ed (him) off’.