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Dwyane Wade, 43, has no issue with the way his former teammate, LeBron James, 40, handled his recent confrontation with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, 57. In fact, Wade says he would have acted exactly the same way.
The altercation occurred on March 6, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena during the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the New York Knicks. LeBron James confronted Stephen A. Smith after becoming upset with the ESPN commentator's criticism of LeBron’s son, Bronny James. The confrontation, captured on video, showed LeBron getting close to Smith and expressing his frustration.
Damn LeBron stepped to Stephen A Smith👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/ZJIDcPU4dL
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) March 7, 2025
When Dwyane Wade was approached in New York City, he made it clear that he “loves” both LeBron and Smith, but firmly backed his former teammate. Wade explained that he had spoken to Smith following the incident and told him, "I would have walked up on him the same way."
Smith himself acknowledged LeBron’s frustration but wished the confrontation had occurred in a more private setting. On his show First Take, Smith commented that he understood why LeBron was upset but felt a private conversation would have been more appropriate.
In addition to defending LeBron’s actions, Wade had high praise for him, even suggesting that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer deserve a statue in a prominent location. Wade’s support for LeBron extends beyond basketball, as the two share a long history of camaraderie both on and off the court.
This public disagreement between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith, along with Wade's defense of his friend, adds another layer to the dynamic relationships within the NBA. It also sheds light on how athletes navigate the media landscape and confront public figures who criticize their families.
