Stephen A. Smith Begs LeBron to Stop Letting Bronny Play in NBA Games
Stephen A. Smith Pleads With LeBron to Stop Letting His Son Play in NBA Games
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Stephen A. Smith isn’t holding back when it comes to LeBron James’ decision to let his son, Bronny James, play in NBA games. Following the Lakers’ 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, Smith criticized LeBron for putting Bronny in a situation where he’s struggling under the spotlight.
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Bronny saw 15 minutes of action during the game but failed to make an impact, going 0-for-5 from the field while recording three rebounds and three turnovers. With the Lakers dealing with injuries, he was given playing time, but the performance only added fuel to the ongoing debate about whether he truly earned his spot on the roster. Many skeptics argue that Bronny, selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, was only drafted because of his father’s influence.
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On First Take, Smith addressed the controversy head-on, making a direct appeal to LeBron. “I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father—stop this. Stop this,” he said. “We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.” While Smith acknowledged the historic moment of a father and son playing together, he stressed that the harsh reality is now setting in.
He also pointed to Bronny’s underwhelming NBA stats—just 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.4 rebounds per game. “In 13 games, he has played 44 minutes. He has scored four points. He is shooting 1-of-16 from the field, 0-for-7 from three-point range,” Smith noted. “How are you doing him favors? We know that he’s not ready yet! And I’m saying this with compassion.”
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Despite his struggles at the NBA level, Bronny has shown promise in the G League. With the South Bay Lakers, he’s averaging 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game while shooting 45.8% from beyond the arc. Smith believes this is where Bronny should be developing his game instead of being thrown into the NBA before he’s fully prepared.
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