Stephen A. Smith’s LeBron rant unravels as facts expose glaring holes in his emotional tirade.

Stephen A. Smith’s criticism of LeBron James over his absence at Kobe Bryant’s memorial and Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame ceremony marks yet another heated chapter in their increasingly personal and public feud.

During an explosive 15-minute rant on First Take, Smith called out LeBron for what he claimed was a lack of respect for two NBA legends, Kobe and Wade.

But beyond the moral grandstanding and emotional theatrics, Smith’s accusations were built on shaky ground. In fact, they directly contradict well-established facts.

“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. I didn’t bring up the fact that—even though when people had asked—you had alluded to what had happened tragically to your son, and thank God he’s okay with his heart condition.”

“I didn’t bring up the fact that, even though you couldn’t go to the Hall of Fame induction of Dwyane Wade, weeks later, weeks earlier, you were out of the country on business. I didn’t bring that up. That’s your personal business.” 

“But the fact is, you weren’t at the Hall of Fame induction of a brother that’s going to drastically assist to you being a Hall of Famer, because he helped you become the champion that you are—and he was a big brother to you. I brought up none of these things.”

The problem with this? Much of it was flat-out inaccurate.

Despite Smith’s insistence that LeBron was absent from Kobe Bryant’s memorial, multiple reputable sources including The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, reported that James was indeed in attendance at the Staples Center on February 24, 2020.

LeBron was emotionally devastated by the tragedy and requested privacy so he could grieve quietly. He simply chose not to be filmed. That decision is not only understandable but deeply human.

Even Diana Taurasi, during her heartfelt speech at the memorial, looked directly at LeBron and referenced him in a joke about his shooting form, saying: “I mean who had a turnaround fadeaway at 11? LeBron barely got it today.” 

She then pointed at James, acknowledging his presence. If the White Mamba could see LeBron sitting in the crowd, why couldn’t Stephen A. Smith?

As for Wade’s Hall of Fame induction on August 12, 2023, Smith suggested LeBron had no legitimate reason to miss the ceremony. But the timeline paints a very different picture.

On July 24, 2023, Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest during practice at USC. He was hospitalized and discharged three days later, on July 27. That put Wade’s ceremony just over two weeks after a near-fatal medical emergency involving LeBron’s eldest son.

LeBron has built much of his public persona around being a present, devoted father—a role he takes very seriously, especially given his own upbringing without a father figure.

Criticizing him for prioritizing his son’s health and well-being during that time shows not only a lack of empathy but a failure to consider the full context.

To add another layer of irony, Smith’s claim that he “never brought this up” falls apart with a simple YouTube search.

On August 22, 2023, Smith uploaded a video titled, “Stephen A. Smith is VERY surprised LeBron James missed Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame induction.”

In that video, Smith did acknowledge that Bronny’s health would override everything, but now, months later, he’s contradicting his own words for the sake of another hot take.

This isn’t just media analysis anymore—it’s character assassination fueled by ego. The ongoing feud began with Smith’s pointed criticism of Bronny and LeBron’s response in defense of his son. Since then, the back-and-forth has escalated.

LeBron mocked Smith’s antics on The Pat McAfee Show, comparing his nonstop media appearances to a “Taylor Swift tour run.” In response, Smith doubled down, calling LeBron a liar, a backstabber, and now, essentially, an ungrateful teammate and friend.

The irony is staggering. Stephen A. accuses LeBron of not showing respect to his peers, while disrespecting LeBron’s character and family choices on national television. All under the guise of ‘just doing his job.’

At this point, the feud isn’t just about Bronny, or Kobe, or Wade. It’s about pride, and Smith’s increasing inability to accept that LeBron James no longer needs his validation.

And if anything, this latest attack only further proves the point: even when LeBron stays quiet, he still lives rent-free in Stephen A.’s head.