LeBron James gets apology for wrong Kobe Bryant claim

NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith has apologised for wrongly saying that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James did not attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial service.

His claim was proven false, as James was actually at the event.

Smith’s comments caused a backlash on social media, with many basketball fans and pundits criticising him for bringing up the topic.

“My apologies and clarification. I misspoke in Hour #1 of @FirstTake today when I intimated that LeBron did not attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial,” Smith wrote on X.

“I corrected myself in Hour #2 when I acknowledged he was indeed in attendance. My mistake.

“I should not have even broached that subject. It was not my main point.

“I retract NOTHING else that I said. Have a nice day!”

Smith and James have had tensions recently, especially after the analyst made comments about Bronny James.

James seemed to add to the friction during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show this week, where he spoke about Smith.