ESPN host Stephen A. Smith is pleading with Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James to get his son Bronny out of the NBA ranks with all deliberate speed.
Smith came to the conclusion after watching Bronny James during the Lakers’ embarrassing blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Playing a season-high 15 minutes, the younger James looked lost and was torched by season veteran Tyrese Maxey.
The fact that King James influenced the Lakers to draft his son onto the same team incited a groundswell of indignation from many disgruntled fans. Most believe this is a blatant form of nepotism. And Bronny James’ recent play in the NBA has substantiated their objections about the son being in the league at this time, if ever.
“I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father, stop this, stop this,” Smith said on the ESPN sports talk show “First Take.” “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, a father-son duo playing in the NBA game for the first time. An absolutely, positively wonderful story. And then reality sets in.”
Smith continued his soliloquy, saying, “We love what we’re seeing from him in the G League because that’s where you belong. As you hone your skills and get better, and you legitimately earn, 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.”
To be fair, Bronny has shown incremental improvement during his time in the NBA G League. Most of the time, Bronny James is playing for the South Bay Lakers in El Segundo, Calif., which is only 20 miles away from Los Angeles. But when you compare it to the bright lights of Los Angeles, it seems like another state. Away from the glaring and unforgiving spotlight, Bronny James is showing traces of NBA ability. He is averaging approximately 16 points, four rebounds and four assists a game.
In fact, King James’ son made headlines for surpassing the 30-point mark on two occasions. Coaches reportedly discerned a marked improvement in the young James’ confidence, shooting, scoring, slashing and defense.
This is where Smith believes LeBron belongs full-time instead of splitting time between the NBA and the G League team. Moreover, Smith and others claim Bronny James is taking up a roster spot that a better and more seasoned player deserves to fill.
“I wish him nothing but the best, but he’s LeBron James’ son, and everybody knows what attention that brings,” Smith said. “You know what it’s going to do to your son, to people that are missing out on opportunities. Who are busting their tails on NBA teams and G League, Europe, and everywhere else. What kind of opportunity they’re starving for? You’re exposing your son like this.”
