LeBron James and Kevin Gates recently had a public feud over the Lakers star’s wife, Savannah. Kevin Gates initially questioned Savannah’s motives, and LeBron seemingly responded on social media by indirectly referring to Kevin Gates as a “peasant”. Antonio Brown, the controversial ex-NFL player, questioned LeBron for not confronting Gates at the Lakers game like he did with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith a few weeks ago when he feuded with him over his son, Bronny James.
“Did LeBron confront him like he did with Stephen A? #CTESPN”, Brown wrote on X.
Did LeBron confront him like he did with Stephen A? #CTESPN https://t.co/LzKhsgXDsG
— AB (@AB84) April 23, 2025
What Happened Between Kevin Gates And LeBron James?
Kevin Gates initially took to Instagram and posted a video where he criticized LeBron’s wife. “I don’t like the way Savannah look at LeBron. I like the way them white women look at LeBron,” said Gates. LeBron fired back in a social media post, which he captioned,“‘Kings don’t concern themselves with the opinions of peasants.’ Where to next Queen?!?! Let’s get it!”.
Following this exchange online, Gates further added fuel to the fire and attended a Lakers game to sit courtside. Antonio Brown expected that LeBron would confront Kevin Gates like he confronted Stephen A. Smith a few weeks ago for involving Bronny James in unwanted narratives.
LeBron pressed Stephen A in person lmaooo
pic.twitter.com/FsL1OYMHLw
— 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) March 7, 2025
What Went Down In LeBron James’ Feud With Stephen A. Smith?
Ever since Bronny James was drafted to the league, Stephen A. has consistently voiced his criticism of the Lakers’ rookie. In March 2025, he claimed James’ son is only in the league because of his father. This did not sit well with LeBron James. Further, he even went on a rant online, claiming James should retire. During a Lakers game, he approached the ESPN analyst and had a heated conversation with him on the sidelines.
This exchange spilled over onto social media, where Stephen A. vented his opinion. “That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me; that was a parent, and that was a father. And I can’t sit here and be angry,” Smith said after calming down.
Following this, LeBron went on the Pat McAfee Show and clarified his stance with Stephen A.. “I didn’t wanna address it. I wasn’t going to address it, but since the video came out, I feel the need to address it,” LeBron said. He believed Stephen A. missed the whole point, and he would never stop people from criticizing players. “But when you take it and get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my damn household but protect the players”, he further said.
Should LeBron Confront Kevin Gates?
No, categorically no, he should not escalate this further. While the basketball world loved the unhinged era LeBron seems to be on, where he isn’t holding back on anything, LeBron should not create a pattern of taking offense to everything that is said about him. In my opinion, it’s the nature of his position that compels feelings of jealousy and envy from the entertainment world.
For a few moments of fame, anybody with little to no significance should not have the ability to hurt LeBron’s feelings. He has reassured the basketball world that there is nothing wrong between him and his wife. If he has confidence in his marriage and knows the love is real, he should not care what others have to say about his relationship. But then again, it’s easier said than done. And nobody would blame LeBron if he confronted Gates.
