ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith did not hold back on First Take when addressing Bronny James‘ struggles in the NBA. He made an impassioned plea to LeBron James, urging him to reconsider his son’s NBA situation and focus on his long-term development.
During First Take, Smith emphasized that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his father’s influence, rather than his readiness to compete at the highest level. While acknowledging Bronny’s potential, Smith argued that his NBA debut has been a harsh reality check.
“I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be towards LeBron James—one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball that we should and will all miss when he is gone. I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: stop this. Stop this.”
“We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad. The first game of the season, opening night, the Griffeys in attendance—father-son duo playing in an NBA game for the first time—an absolutely, positively wonderful story.”
“And then reality sets in. We love what we’re seeing from him in the G League because that’s where he belongs as he hones his skills, gets better, and legitimately earns his place, which I believe he has the potential to do.”
“I am rooting for Bronny James. It would be cruel to root against him. He’s a wonderful kid, and I wish him nothing but the best. But he’s LeBron James’ son, and everybody knows what attention that brings.”
“Right now, Bronny James is averaging 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.4 rebounds. You know what people are saying. You know what they’re going to do to this kid.”
“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. How are you doing him favors? We know that he’s not ready yet, and I’m saying this with compassion.”
“I’m asking the greatest player in the game—one of the top two players in the history of basketball, an ambassador for this game, the face of the league, a four-time champion, a guy that’s gone to 10 NBA Finals, one of the greatest we have ever or will ever see—who is a basketball savant.”
“You know better than me, better than Doggy, better than JJ Redick, better than Rob Pelinka, better than any basketball analyst that exists.:
“You know what these numbers mean. You know what it’s going to do to your son, to people who are missing out on opportunities—players busting their tails on other NBA teams, in the G League, in Europe, and everywhere else. What kind of opportunity are they starving for? You’re exposing your son like this.”
"I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this." 😳 @stephenasmith reacts to Bronny James' play in the Lakers 118-104 loss to the 76ers. pic.twitter.com/bk5D0DS42N
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 29, 2025
Smith clarified that his comments were not an attack on Bronny but rather a concern for his future. He pointed out that LeBron James, being the basketball savant he is, should recognize that his son is not ready for the NBA stage.
Smith then pointed to Bronny’s alarming statistics, which highlight his struggles at the NBA level. Through 13 games, he has managed just 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.4 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency has been particularly concerning, as he has connected on only 6.3% of his attempts from the field, making just one of his 16 shots overall.
Additionally, he has gone 0-for-7 from three-point range, struggling to find his rhythm in limited opportunities. With only 44 total minutes played all season, Bronny has yet to make a meaningful impact at the NBA level.
But, despite these struggles, Bronny has shown promise in the G League, suggesting that he may be better suited for further development before taking on a larger role in the NBA. Since starting for the South Bay Lakers, he has performed at a significantly higher level, averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.
His shooting efficiency has also improved dramatically, as he has connected on 43.4% of his field goal attempts and an impressive 45.8% from beyond the arc. These performances indicate that Bronny has the potential to develop into a solid player, but for now, the G League appears to be the best place for him to refine his skills and gain confidence.
LeBron himself has acknowledged that Bronny will spend time in the G League to develop, but his recent 15-minute appearance against the 76ers led to 0 points on 0-for-5 shooting with three turnovers. This performance only reinforced Smith’s argument that Bronny is not yet NBA-ready.
But, Smith’s argument remains valid: Is it really beneficial for Bronny to be in the NBA spotlight right now? With so many players fighting for NBA opportunities in the G League, Europe, and other leagues, critics argue that Bronny’s NBA spot might be undeserved at this stage.
While LeBron James is chasing history, his son is facing immense pressure to prove himself. The Lakers have already committed to giving Bronny developmental time in the G League, but fans and analysts are beginning to question if he should be in the NBA at all.
Smith’s comments reflect growing concerns among analysts and fans who believe that Bronny should not be rushed into an NBA role simply for the sake of the father-son storyline.
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