"Stephen A. Smith vs LeBron James: Father First, NBA Player Second."

What happens when a legendary sports columnist/personality decides 
to criticize how a father raises his son? How would that make you feel 
far as judging your parenting foundation and structure? ESPN First Take 
commentator Stephen A. Smith became a bigger headline after 
comments about Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and 
Bronny James.

In what's been a whirlwind of emotions the night James Jr was drafted 
by the Lakers, everyone has discredited his abilities to play basketball; 
especially since he missed an entire season at USC. As most fans 
know, James Jr suffered cardiac arrest during summer workouts. His 
basketball career was up in the air, while his family spent as much time 
figuring out the next move. 

From being drafted by the Lakers, sharing a moment with his father and 
G-League season, everyone in sports media questioned this motive. No 
further person than Stephen A. Smith, who alluded to how bad James Jr 
looked in a game versus the Philadelphia 76ers back in January. A 
matchup which Los Angeles was shorthanded and James Jr was thrown 
into the fray. It wasn't what sports commentators wanted to see, 
considering how bad it made James Sr look as a father. Smith to his 
credit went nuclear on James Sr by telling him how to go about raising 
his son.

It was that particular moment, NBA fans looked at this and said "You 
have no right to tell an NBA player how to raise their child!" From there, 
the trails were blazing and patiently waiting to see if James was going to 

comment through the press or social media. It's about to hit the fan 
folks, sit back.

During the Lakers prime-time matchup versus New York Knicks from 
Crypto.com Arena, there was Smith sitting court-side and James 
approached him. Caught on camera, James stepped up and told Smith 
to stop talking about his son. This wasn't LeBron James the basketball 
player talking; this was a father speaking to another man criticizing his 
son.

James Sr has long been under the most media scrutiny since age
sixteen as a basketball prodigy. For this moment to occur after all the
backlash of shortcomings throughout his career, it sent a message to
everyone not to question his parenting. A man who didn't grow up with a
father, being there for his children's games, birthdays, a black man
who's a father in their lives. Never been in trouble with the law,
scandals, clickbait news, a strong black man with morals and principles.
When James said what he did to Smith, he had every right. Rather the
"old media" liked it or not, James could care less.

In the days to follow, Smith looked foolish for being subtle on his show.
No harsh feelings about the interaction, but... Pulling up on "Gil's Arena"
dressed in black, wearing a gold necklace trying to look tough. It was
the classic scene from "New Jack City," where Nino Brown holds an
impromptu meeting after their drug operation burned down. Or when
Martin used the inspiration on his sitcom and had everyone in black with
a stuffed dog barking.

Smith's claim it was a weak move by James to confront him court side
but knew the angle from a father's perspective. Hmm, showing up
wearing all black, looking like he wanted to bring the smoke and try to
give his take on the situation. Former players applauded James for

confronting Smith and it became a topic of discussion among content
creators.

In the world we live in as parents, aunt, uncles; we want to give our
children the blueprint to success. What James is implementing with his
children is no different than what others have done. We want our
children to have an avenue and reach their full potential. James has
been more than an athlete in this generation; he's the savvy
businessman/mogul who beat the statistics which hovers over black
America.

In the end, I'm on James' side for standing up for his son in what's been
turmoil since James Jr became a Laker. Everyone has joked about how
his son isn't NBA talent and should've stayed in college another year.
When you take personal shots at someone and expect a friendly
interaction, don't get your hopes up. It's one thing to say it from a
basketball perspective; but once you question parenting and how it
makes a man look, I'd be upset as well at the man who spoke those
words.

James didn't have a sit down interview, call on the phone, spar on social
media. He handled like a man and confronted Smith in sticking up for
his son. As the old folks used to say "bark up the wrong tree," Smith had
nowhere to hide and was "G" checked in street terminology. It's a
moment in history to walk a very tight narrow road when bringing
children into the mix. It was out of line and disrespectful by all counts.
Don't pull up on another platform trying to be tough, knowing you got
stood up with nobody to intervene. Let this be a lesson to anyone in this
space and avoid making it personal.