Stephen A Smith says Bronny James was focal point of 'unexpected' courtside confrontation LeBron James

ESPN prima Stephen A. Smith, who reportedly inked a lucrative declaration hold with the network, addressed his caller enactment with four-time NBA champion LeBron James.

Smith was connected manus for the Los Angeles Lakers overtime triumph implicit the New York Knicks connected Thursday. But, the confrontation betwixt Smith and James overshadowed the game's events.

Smith said the speech stemmed from the NBA superstar's concerns astir the tv personality's remarks astir his eldest son, Bronny Janes. Smith besides described the incidental arsenic "unexpected."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James (IMAGN)

"That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I mightiness add, to face maine astir making definite I caput what I accidental astir I accidental astir his son," Smith said connected "First Take" successful notation to the Lakers rookie.

LEBRON JAMES BECOMES FIRST-EVER PLAYER TO REACH 50,000 CAREER NBA POINTS

"Can’t repetition the words due to the fact that they ain’t suited for FCC airwaves, that’s what helium was doing. And I thought agelong and hard astir this implicit the past fewer hours origin I had nary volition connected talking astir this astatine all," Smith said astir the viral moment.

And the crushed was due to the fact that it was a one-on-one, I wouldn’t accidental it was a speech but it was a one-on-one confrontation. But past I aftermath up and everybody from ESPN, my cause and everybody other sending maine that this happening had gone viral, so, yet it was unavoidable and that is wherefore I person to sermon it now."

Oct 23, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Stephen A. Smith (Stephen Smith) connected the ESPN NBA Countdown unrecorded acceptable astatine Intuit Dome.  (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Smith suggested the enactment was betwixt a brace of fathers, much truthful than an speech betwixt a basketball player and a sports tv star.

Los Angeles Lakers defender Bronny James (9) and guardant LeBron James (23) warming up earlier the crippled against the Phoenix Suns astatine Crypto.com Arena.  (Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images)

"That wasn’t a hoops subordinate confronting me, that was a parent, that was a father. I can’t beryllium present and beryllium aggravated oregon consciousness slighted by LeBron James successful that regard. By each accounts, he’s evidently a fantastic household antheral and begetter who cares very, precise profoundly astir his son, and based connected immoderate of the comments helium had heard oregon shall I accidental I deliberation helium thought helium heard, intelligibly took objection to immoderate of the things helium heard maine say, and helium confronted maine astir it."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Smith besides suggested helium would beryllium unfastened to having further discussions with James successful a backstage conversation. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.