The jabs just keep coming. What began as a confrontation during a Lakers-Knicks game has developed into a solid rift between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith. The Lakers forward recently appeared on the Pat McAfee Show to speak about the controversial moment. “He’s like on a Taylor Swift tour run right now,” James said about Smith’s multiple appearances and speaking about the show among other shots he took at the ESPN analyst.

As you might have guessed it, the ESPN analyst didn’t stay quiet. He responded in a 52-minute video at one point, even admitting, “If that man would’ve put his hands on me. I would’ve immediately swung on him,”. The back-and-forth just doesn’t seem to have a settlement in the near future. But a close coworker of Smith wants him to take the first step.

Shannon Sharpe is caught at odds in this situation. He supports and admires LeBron James’ career and is also thankful to Smith for inviting him to ESPN. But as this issue blows up, the NFL legend only had one suggestion for his colleague. “I wish Stephen A. would’ve just left it alone,” he said on his show.

Sharpe supports the 57-year-old for addressing the situation on First Take when he said he understood LeBron James stood in front of him as a father. But since that time, he’s been on multiple talk shows. And every time he has said something extreme, like calling the four-time MVP “weak” for confronting him.

“As my grandma used to say boy stirring up old issues, it still smells. So every time Stephen A talks about it, it stirs it up again,” Shay Shay said about Smith’s persistence on the matter. He even referenced a personal incident he had with Kevin Durant where the two spoke about their differences privately.

Given that in LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith’s case, nothing has been behind closed doors. However, the volume of attention the ESPN analyst has devoted to the incident has made it a larger issue. This could have been settled with his first admission. However, his comments since have led to scrutiny and the problem inflating into something it should have never come to.

But it’s not too late still. Stephen A. Smith can say he has moved past it and will refrain from making any further comments. Yet this time he may be compelled to do so after what LeBron James did.

Shannon Sharpe’s wish might remain unfulfilled

When on the Pat McAfee Show, LeBron James was almost dumbfounded by how much Stephen A. Smith has stretched their ongoing issues. “He’s gonna get home and grab some ice cream out of the f*****g freezer and sit in his chair in his tighty-whities on the couch. Relax, bro. Seriously,” he told McAfee.

It seemed he was tired of just how much is being spoken about his confrontation with the top analyst at ESPN. In his eyes, his sole reason for doing so was because Smith went “personal” by speaking about his actions as a father. But although not to the details, what James predicted did happen.

Smith responded in a scathing 52-minute video, even calling James a “liar”. But the Akron Hammer was all smiles today. He kept his 10-point streak alive after recording only 2 points in the first half against the Pacers. Then he hit the game-winner to seal a victory. And amidst the glee of snapping the Lakers‘ losing streak, the 40-year-old was in the mood to have some fun.

He took to his Instagram and posted an old video of Smith’s boxing lessons. The caption “WHOMP WHOMP WHOMPPPPPPPP” indicated his loss as LeBron James emerged victorious on the night. The post drew an array of reactions. The likes of Draymond Green and Tristan Thompson laughed as James finally went unfiltered.

But this only means one thing. What Shannon Sharpe is hoping for will probably not happen. As needless as their rift seems, it doesn’t seem like either side is going to stop. Or at least it’s going to float in the air while both wait for an opportunity to take the next hit. The former Broncos tight end is obviously hoping for the best. However, is there really a route for recovery?