NBA fans are once again divided after Stephen A. Smith decided to revisit his long-running criticism of LeBron James, months after their much-discussed courtside confrontation. The ESPN analyst, known for his fiery takes, called out LeBron during a recent podcast episode, accusing him of being “fake” when it comes to addressing media narratives.
Fans didn’t hold back their thoughts.
@TheDunkCentral posted,
“Stephen A. calls out Bron out for being fake,”
while another user, @goodkiiddd, summed up the general frustration with,
“When he’s not pandering to Trump, he’s smearing LeBron’s name.”
When he’s not pandering to trump he’s smearing LeBron’s name
— Austin$$ (@goodkiiddd) October 20, 2025
The moment sparked yet another online debate, with many NBA fans questioning why Smith still seems to be on this issue long after the supposed tension had cooled off.
One user, @williammmmc, commented,
“I thought this was an older clip. Nope. Turns out this dude really is on a petty high school girl media tour.”
Despite the criticism, Smith doubled down, saying that his comments on LeBron weren’t personal but were part of his “duty to analyze greatness honestly.” But even some of his longtime viewers have started to think it’s less about honest critique and more about obsession.
For months now, NBA fans have accused Smith of keeping LeBron’s name in circulation just to stir engagement. Whether that’s true or not, it’s clear that every time LeBron’s name trends, Stephen A. isn’t far behind. And at this point, many fans believe the back-and-forth has become less about basketball and more about ego.
Stephen A. Smith “Fired” From ESPN? NBA Fans Fell For A Viral Hoax
Anything hot off the press that’s controversial, off the rails, or outright karma getting back to them, the NBA fans are there for it. And they are here for it again when news of Stephen A. Smith getting fired from ESPN sent them to cheers, or so they thought. A tweet came from a parody account, @TheNBACentel, which has fooled NBA fans before with fake breaking news.
The tweet read,
“BREAKING: ESPN has fired Stephen A. Smith,” and quickly gained traction. Many NBA fans took the bait, spreading the post without checking its source.
BREAKING: ESPN has fired Stephen A. Smith
(Via @WindhostESPN) pic.twitter.com/jn1lWTD9qe
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) October 20, 2025
One user, @ShinyWilder, joked,
“I have never centeled so hard in my life,”
while another, @YarashaYaramyai, pointed out,
“[laughing emojis] a simple google search will debunk this.”
It only took minutes before others realized it was another satirical post meant to mock the heated online reaction to Smith’s ongoing feud with LeBron James. But the reach of the hoax shows just how polarizing Smith has become.
Some NBA fans admitted that even if it wasn’t real, they weren’t surprised it spread so fast—especially after his latest LeBron comments reignited backlash. This fake firing rumor isn’t just another internet joke; it’s a reflection of how much people either love or can’t stand Smith’s outspoken persona.
In the end, ESPN confirmed that Stephen A. Smith remains with the network, and the “firing” rumor was nothing more than another viral prank. But the speed at which NBA fans believed it says everything about how intense the Smith vs. LeBron narrative has become—both on air and online.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
