“On a Taylor Swift tour run right now” - LeBron James invokes singer’s name to poke fun at Stephen A. Smith amid feud 

The ongoing beef between NBA superstar LeBron James and sports commentator Stephen A. Smith took a new turn when James took the time to invoke pop icon Taylor Swift’s name to criticize the ESPN personality.

When the Los Angeles Lakers star recently appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, he mocked Smith’s repeated mention of a courtside encounter the two men had on March 6, 2025. LeBron Compared Smith’s actions to a Taylor Swift tour run. During the show, he said:

"He’s, like, on a Taylor Swift tour run right now. It started off with, 'I didn’t want to address it … but since the video came out I feel the need to address it.'"

The bad blood between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith goes back to March 6, when the Lakers had a game with the New York Knicks. During the game a video circulated that showed James engaging in what seemed like a heated exchange with Smith while sitting courtside.

According to reports, the conversation was about Smith’s comments about James’ son, Bronny James, and his spot in the NBA. Smith had previously stated that Bronny, a first-year player with the Lakers, wasn’t ready to play at the NBA level and should be playing in the G League instead.

During the Pat McAfee Show, LeBron said how Stephen A. Smith's remarks would not only affect him as a player but also as a father and leader who would constantly feel the need to defend his family and players.

"That is your job to criticize... that's all part of the game. But when you take it and you get personal with it, it's my job to not only protect my damn household, but protect the players."

A look into Stephen A. Smith’s response to LeBron James’ statement.

Stephen A. Smith didn't back down from responding and fired back quickly on the YouTube channel, First Take. He stated that LeBron James was upset simply because he refused to call LeBron the greatest basketball player of all time. Furthermore, he said:

"One thing matters to him and one thing only, and that’s him being recognized as the greatest of all time. Well, you’re not, in my book. That belongs to Michael Jordan."

Talking about a recent match encounter between him and LeBron, Smith admitted that he was quite furious at the time, and was ready to throw hands at the basketball star if LeBron had approached him.

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Following Smith’s response, LeBron James took to social media, posting a video of Smith boxing along with a mocking caption saying:

“WHOMP WHOMP WHOMP.”

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