Stephen A Smith says Bronny James was focal point of 'unexpected' courtside confrontation LeBron James

Smith said the exchange stemmed from the NBA superstar's concerns about the television personality's remarks about his eldest son, Bronny Janes. Smith also described the incident as "unexpected."

"That was LeBron James coming up to me - unexpectedly, I might add - to confront me about making sure I mind what I say about I say about his son," Smith said on "First Take" in reference to the Lakers rookie.

And the reason was because it was a one-on-one, I wouldn't say it was a conversation, but it was a one-on-one confrontation. But then I wake up, and everybody from ESPN, my agent and everybody else sending me that this thing had gone viral, so, ultimately it was unavoidable, and that is why I have to discuss it now."

"That wasn't a basketball player confronting me, that was a parent, that was a father. I can't sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in that regard. By all accounts, he's obviously a wonderful family man and father who cares very, very deeply about his son, and based on some of the comments he had heard - or shall I say I think he thought he heard - clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say, and he confronted me about it."

Smith also suggested that he would be open to having further discussions with James privately.