Cameras caught LeBron James having a heated exchange with Stephen A. Smith as the ESPN star sat courtside for the Lakers’ win over the Knicks.

The NBA legend appeared animated as he came over to the sideline to speak to Smith after Los Angeles had triumphed 113-109 at Crypto.com Arena.

They had been trading comments in the media over recent days before coming face to face in Los Angeles. Smith then discussed the exchange on Friday’s edition of First Take, revealing that James confronted him about remarks he had made about his son, Bronny. 

‘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,’ he began after the clip of their interaction was played. ‘I can’t repeat the words because they aren’t suited for airwaves.’ 

The 57-year-old went on to claim that he had intended to avoid discussing the altercation publicly but after the clip took the internet by storm, he admitted it was inescapable. 

‘I thought long and hard about this over the past few hours because I had no intention of talking about this at all,’ he continued. ‘The reason is because it was, I wouldn’t say it was a conversation, but it was a one-on-one confrontation. But then I wake up and everybody from ESPN, my agent and everybody else were telling me that this thing had gone viral. So ultimately, it was unavoidable. That is why I have to discuss it now. 

Cameras caught LeBron James having a heated exchange with ESPN star Stephen A. Smith

LEBRON WANTS SMOKE WITH STEPHEN A 😳 pic.twitter.com/xsXOLR7ZWi

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‘That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father. And I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard. By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son.’ 

However, while Smith did admit he couldn’t fault James as a parent, he did maintain that he is not in the business of making friends. 

‘I’m not blaming him one bit,’ he said. ‘I get it. I understand it. […] But it’s my job to talk about the subjects and the subject matters that matter. I work for ESPN.

‘I’m not one of those that get into people’s private affairs but what you do on a public platform for public consumption, that’s what I cover. That’s what I do for a living. And if you’re in the NBA, that applies to you. 

‘I don’t want enemies. I live a very good life. I like to make people laugh and smile and have a good time and all of that other stuff. But I also get paid to call it like I see it. And what I said at the time, I stand by what I said.’

The Lakers star last week took aim at members of the NBA media, claiming: ‘All the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s*** on everybody.’

That prompted Smith – who this week agreed a $100million deal with ESPN – to accuse James of talking ‘b.s.’. He also claimed NBA stars have become overly sensitive.

‘No matter what we say about these players, there’s always something for them to complain about,’ the ESPN star said. ‘I thought he was full of it.’

The two came face to face on Thursday night, when the Lakers beat the New York Knicks

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

He added: ‘They have heightened their level of sensitivity to the point where they have get an atтιтude if you have bad breath. 

‘It’s that bad, it’s really pathetic… there is a lot of time spent celebrating players and celebrating the game. This is a global iconic brand. How the hell did it get there? You had something to do with that Lebron. It’s B.S.’

Smith is a huge fan of Michael Jordan and he claimed James ‘invites comparisons’ to the NBA legend.

‘And then, all of the sudden, when he was called upon to live up to it, anytime that we pointed out what was lacking, we were hating.’

That same day, LeBron posted more comments on social media about the coverage of the NBA. He did not name Smith but he said: ‘Exactly made my point but anyways.’ 

‘Happy this convo has started.. it ain’t about one person or one show, it’s about the culture of basketball,, the most beautiful game in the world.’

James added: ‘This ain’t about me either. At this point I don’t really care what’s said about me it’s always something. This is about the impact the negativity is having on our beautiful game and our fans. 

‘I know I speak for a lot of players and more importantly, a helluva lot of great fans that truly love and celebrate this sport around the world.’

In the clip, which went viral on social media, James could be seen walking away from Smith

Smith, pictured at the game with Floyd Mayweather, recently accused LeBron of talking ‘B.S’ 

After the clip of their exchange went viral on social media, many fans were convinced that James was talking about his son Bronny. 

Earlier this year, Smith took aim at LeBron and Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers ahead of this season. 

‘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 said Bronny belonged in the G League but insisted 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.’ That ‘p***ed off’ the ESPN star. 

‘It’s got to a point where this LeBron sensitivity is just beyond the pale,’ he said on the ‘Stephen A. Smith Show’.

Earlier this week, however, he heaped praise on James as he continues to shine beyond his 40th birthday. He even suggested it was time to stop comparing James and Jordan.

Earlier this year, the ESPN star spoke out about LeBron’s young son, Bronny James

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‘He’s been absolutely phenomenal,’ the ESPN host said. ‘Although he annoyed the living hell out of me last week with all of that nonsense he was talking. 

‘In the end, the greatness that he has put on display. For as long as he has put on display. I’ll even go a step further.

‘Knowing how I feel about Jordan. And I think anybody that knows basketball agrees with me. I actually think it’s time to not even have the debate anymore. 

‘Because that’s how great LeBron James has been. For as long as he has been that great. I can stand down and acknowledge that because this is absolutely phenomenal.’