Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Stephen A. Smith Responds to LeBron’s ‘Taylor Swift Tour Run’ Taunt and Later Issues Apology for Spreading Misinformation

Stephen A. Smith apologized for his false claim about the NBA star on national television.

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The never-ending drama between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith continues. It feels like an extended episode of a Netflix series and fans want to avoid but they cannot. Smith went on First Take on Thursday morning and responded to LeBron James’ recent comments.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard was on The Pat McAfee Show and took a few jabs at the ESPN commentator. The 6-foot-9 star forward said Smith is still on a ‘Taylor Swift tour run.” Smith couldn’t wait and responded with a new claim on LeBron. Meanwhile, the ESPN commentator later apologized for his false claim about the NBA star on national television.

.@stephenasmith responds to LeBron James' recent comments ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XBLfymlWrL
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 27, 2025

Stephen A. Smith stated that he would have immediately taken a swing at the Lakers superstar if he (LeBron) had initiated physical contact during a recent courtside confrontation.

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Stephen A. Smith issues apology for claiming LeBron James missed Kobe Bryant’s memorial

Smith went on First Take and revealed this about James.

“If LeBron James wants to see me continue to cover this sport, or he wants to have a problem with me continuing to cover this sport, I suggest that he be happy with the things that I haven’t brought up,” Smith said.

“I never brought up really and never really discussed why you were not at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service.

“I never really brought up or discussed why you did not attend Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame induction when that man was directly responsible for you capturing a championship for the first time in your career. I brought up none of that…

“But LeBron James, at the end of the day, wants to come at me, and he’s walking around pouting.”

Surprisingly, Stephen A. Smith was wrong in his research. LeBron James was in attendance at Bryant’s memorial service. Los Angeles Times and Washington Post reported that LeBron was in attendance, but asked the cameras not to capture him. He wanted to respect Bryant and his family.

When Smith got to know about this, he immediately accepted his mistake. He went to social media and apologized.

My apologies and clarification. I misspoke in Hour#1 of @FirstTake today when I intimated that LeBron did not attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial. I corrected myself in Hour#2 when I acknowledged he was indeed in attendance. My mistake. Should not have even broached that subject. It…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 27, 2025

“My apologies and clarification,” Smith admitted on X. “I misspoke in Hour#1 of @FirstTake today when I intimated that LeBron did not attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial.

“I corrected myself in Hour#2 when I acknowledged he was indeed in attendance. My mistake. Should not have even broached that subject. It was not my main point.”

“I retract NOTHING else that I said. Have a nice day!”

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.