Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade React to Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James' Confrontation

Wade understood both sides while Melo suggested there's more to the story.

March 15, 2025

(Photo by Amber De Vos/Getty Images for NBA All Star Supper Club Party)

Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade have voiced their thoughts on Stephen A. Smith’s confrontation with LeBron James.

The two former NBA stars chatted about their perspectives on the situation on the 7PM In Brooklyn podcast (around the 15-minute mark). Wade went first, making it clear that he agreed with James—but also didn’t fault Smith for doing his job.

“As a father, I’m walking up on you—I get it,” said Wade. “I’m like that too. I’m at you.”

Wade kept going, explaining that he spoke with Smith afterwards about what happened. “That’s a sign of respect that LeBron did that to you,” said Wade, relaying the message he gave Smith. “Your microphone is the loudest, your platform is the biggest, and you’re a Black man. So you understand where he’s coming from."

Afterwards, Wade expressed support for Smit— and let James know that some of what he was angry about was actually his fault. “From a dad perspective, I’m at you, but from the perspective of you doing your job, you’re not wrong for doing your job,” explained Wade.

“LeBron is my guy but he did put some extra heat on Bronny,” Wade added.

Anthony had a slightly different opinion—alleging that the confrontation wasn’t actually about Bronny at all. “This has been a build-up; we’re talking 22 years,” Anthony said. “This ain’t got nothing to do with Bronny.”

Since James has been in the league so long, Anthony explained that he’s had to endure Smith’s criticisms for over two decades without responding. “If I’m just sitting here taking everything you say about me over the years, now my son’s the trigger," he said.

While initially understanding of James’ anger towards him when he confronted him during the middle of a Lakers and Knicks game, Smith has since become a little more arrogant about the interaction. During a recent appearance on the Gil’s Arena podcast, Smith said, “I thought it was weak. I thought it was some bullshit—but in the moment, I knew that I was listening to a father.”