Stephen A. Smith: ‘I might have been wrong’ about Bronny James’ NBA readiness
Stephen A. Smith isn’t quite ready to admit he was wrong about Bronny James.
However, the ESPN personality had paved the way for such a confession on “First Take” the following day, after the son and teammate of Lakers legend LeBron James delivered his career-best NBA performance.
About two weeks ago, following a heated exchange with James, who was upset over comments Smith made about his son on TV, Smith defended himself by stating on the same broadcast that he didn’t intend to disrespect anyone when he suggested that Bronny James would be suitable for the G League as a rookie.
On a Friday, Smith admitted to the audience, “Perhaps I was mistaken” regarding Bronny James’ ability to succeed in the NBA this season.
Sports
According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, LeBron James’ recent interaction with him may have been perceived as ‘timid,’ and it is speculated that this encounter could be linked to LeBron’s son, Bronny, who was seen with a ‘downcast expression.’
The recognition occurred following Bronny James taking on a larger role due to many of his teammates being unavailable – such as his father, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dorian Finney-Smith – when facing Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite the Lakers suffering a heavy defeat in the game, Bronny James delivered a standout performance that marked a significant milestone in his career. He scored a personal record of 17 points and provided five assists over 30 minutes on the court. Notably, his three rebounds equaled his best effort in the NBA to date.
Smith expressed high praise for Bronny James’ showcase, stating, “He truly impressed me. What stood out to me was a significant boost in his self-assurance and composure. He seemed unfazed by the situation. Unlike past games, he didn’t appear anxious. Instead, he played with an air of belonging.
It’s possible I underestimated him before. Did you catch Bronny James setting a new career high against the Bucks, Stephen A. Smith? 😮
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 21, 2025
On the court, he displayed a range of impressive plays – dribbling deftly, driving towards the hoop, scoring there, taking jump shots, even making a three-pointer. All in all, he scored 17 points with an impressive 7 out of 10 shots on target from the field. I was truly impressed by his performance.
He stated: “If his performance remains consistent, he’s likely to secure a permanent spot in the league before long. A single game isn’t enough to decide this. More evidence is needed. However, I felt it was important to underscore this observation.
On March 6, Smith found himself seated near the court at Crypto.com Arena for the Lakers-Knicks matchup. It was during a timeout when James approached him directly and expressed his anger towards him. The following day, Smith shared that James had approached him to discuss ensuring I watch my words regarding his son.
Lakers
In the game against the Bucks, it was clear that the Lakers, with LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic on the sidelines, were no competition for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team, resulting in a 118-89 defeat.
On a Friday, Smith emphasized once more, as he’s done many times following the event, that he had never shown disrespect towards Bronny James.
Smith stated, “Initially, I thought he needed the G League to prepare for NBA-level play. However, it seems that being around JJ Redick’s team, Pops and the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the G League experience, may have accelerated his development more quickly than expected. Last night, I was impressed by what I saw.
I’ll maintain the same enthusiasm. If he plays well, we’ll praise him. If he doesn’t, we’ll let him know. That’s part of sports coverage. Perhaps his father didn’t tell him this, but I will. Great job last night! Keep it up. I think you will.
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2025-03-22 00:01