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LeBron James Accused Of Skipping Two Important Events

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 10:49 AM ET

The biggest rivalry in sports right now revolves around LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith, there's no question about it.

On March 6, James confronted Smith during the second half of a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks. He had an issue with comments made by the ESPN personality.

At first, Smith handled things like a professional on First Take, saying James spoke to him as a concerned father, not an NBA superstar. Eventually, things took an ugly turn between them.

During this Wednesday's episode of his YouTube show, Smith said he would've swung at James if he put his hands on him.

"Let me state for the record that while we bring up that, let me assure you it wouldn't have gone down like that," Smith said. "I would have gotten my [expletive] kicked, because had that man put his hands on me, I would have immediately swung on him. Immediately. That, I'm not going to tolerate. But I knew he wasn't going to do something like that."

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 12, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Fast forward to Thursday's edition of First Take, and Smith accused James of skipping two key events over the past five years.

"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."

James was asked about attending Bryant's memorial service back in February 2020, but he didn't definitively say if he was there.

"It was very emotional, very emotional day, very tough day for myself, for my family, for everyone involved," James said at the time.

We'll see if James responds to these accusations from Smith.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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