Draymond Green Cuts Ties with Stephen A. Smith After LeBron’s Courtside Clash: Loyalty or Glazing?

The NBA world is no stranger to drama, but the latest saga involving Draymond Green, Stephen A. Smith, and LeBron James has taken interpersonal tension to a new level. On March 6, 2025, LeBron James confronted Stephen A. Smith courtside after the Los Angeles Lakers’ overtime win over the New York Knicks, a heated exchange caught on camera that quickly went viral. The next day, Smith revealed on First Take and his podcast that LeBron’s fury stemmed from comments he’d made about Bronny James, LeBron’s son and a Lakers rookie. But the plot thickened when Smith dropped another bombshell: Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has severed communication with him over the same issue. What’s behind Green’s decision, and what does it say about loyalty, friendship, and the NBA’s unwritten codes?

The incident itself was raw and unfiltered. LeBron, fresh off a 25-point, 10-rebound performance, stormed over to Smith during a timeout and, as Smith later recounted, demanded, “Stop f*cking with my son.” The outburst wasn’t about basketball—it was personal. Smith, a veteran ESPN commentator known for his bombastic takes, had been critical of Bronny’s NBA readiness, famously saying in January that “Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.” LeBron, a four-time champion and arguably the league’s most protective father, had clearly had enough.

Smith didn’t back down from his stance but expressed empathy on air, noting, “That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent.” He even admitted to feeling “sad” about the rift, emphasizing that his critiques were aimed at LeBron’s role in Bronny’s spotlight, not the 20-year-old rookie himself. Yet, the public nature of the confrontation—rather than a private call or meeting—rubbed Smith the wrong way, setting the stage for a broader fallout.

The real curveball came when Smith revealed that Draymond Green, LeBron’s longtime friend and a fellow Klutch Sports client, has stopped speaking to him over the Bronny comments. “I think one of those players was Draymond Green, who I haven’t spoken to since,” Smith said on The Stephen A. Smith Show. “He has no desire to speak to me, primarily because of this, I suppose.” This wasn’t just a casual aside—it hinted at a deeper fracture between two figures who’ve historically shared a cordial rapport.

Green’s decision to back LeBron isn’t surprising. The two have a well-documented bond, forged through years of Finals battles and off-court camaraderie. Green has defended LeBron publicly before, and his protective streak extends to Bronny, whom he’s seen grow up in the NBA’s orbit. But is this loyalty—or, as some X users quip, “glazing”? The term, slang for excessive praise, has been lobbed at Green for his unwavering support of James. Critics argue it’s a weak move for a grown man and four-time champion to ghost Smith over comments about someone else’s kid. “Draymond always acting like he LeBron’s wife,” one X post jabbed.

Yet, Green’s history suggests this is less about sycophancy and more about principle. He’s a ride-or-die teammate and friend, unafraid to burn bridges for those he’s loyal to—think Jordan Poole, Kevin Durant, or now LeBron. Smith, for all his bluster, has been a Green supporter over the years, defending his character amid suspensions and controversies. That Green would cut him off over Bronny feels personal, perhaps a signal that LeBron’s inner circle is closing ranks against perceived slights.

This isn’t just a spat—it’s a window into the NBA’s complex ecosystem. Players like Green and LeBron operate by a code where family is sacred, and media criticism, especially about kin, crosses a line. Smith, paid to provoke and analyze, sees his role differently: “You ain’t paid to make friends,” he said on First Take. The clash highlights a growing divide between athletes and pundits in an era where podcasts and social media give players direct platforms to counter narratives.

X users are split. Some cheer LeBron and Green for standing up to Smith’s “hot take machine,” while others mock the sensitivity. “Draymond won’t talk to him because of what he said about Bronny?! This storyline is getting weirder by the minute,” one post read. Another quipped, “LeBron’s right, but Draymond’s actions also questionable.” The debate underscores a truth: in today’s NBA, personal loyalty can trump professional ties, even if it risks looking petty.

Green hasn’t publicly addressed this latest rift, and given his TNT gig and podcast, he might not. Smith, meanwhile, seems resigned but unshaken, maintaining his critique of LeBron’s influence on Bronny’s career while wishing the rookie well.

LeBron? He’s likely moved on, focused on the Lakers’ playoff push. But the fallout lingers. Will Green and Smith reconcile again, or is this the end of a once-friendly dynamic? And how will Bronny’s development—currently averaging 1.4 points in limited NBA minutes—shape this narrative long-term?

For now, it’s a standoff of principles: Green’s loyalty to LeBron versus Smith’s commitment to his craft. Tell us what you think—did Green overreact, or is Smith out of line?

The post Draymond Green Cuts Ties with Stephen A. Smith After LeBron’s Courtside Clash: Loyalty or Glazing? appeared first on BlackSportsOnline.