ESPN TV personality Stephen A. Smith has not been shy in expressing criticisms toward LA Lakers rookie Bronny James early in his NBA career.
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So much so that LeBron confronted Smith during a game a couple weeks back.
“I’MMA TELL YOU ONE TIME, BRO. KEEP MY SON OUT OF THIS ****, BRO.”
What LeBron James allegedly said to Stephen A. Smith during a break in the Lakers vs. Knicks game 😳🗣️ pic.twitter.com/0UfEups4jb
— 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗴 (@23_Sabog) March 7, 2025
And now following Bronny's career-high night vs. the Milwaukee Bucks (17 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds), the outspoken sports analyst appears to have changed his tune.
Smith was heard on Friday's First Take show, saying Bronny impressed him with his performance.
Although he admitted to "being wrong," Stephen A. tried to lessen it by saying, "I was the one who didn't watch Bronny in high school... I didn't go to his college games at USC."
"I've always believed that this kid has the potential, once I watched him, to be in the NBA."
"I've always believed that this kid has the potential, once I watched him, to be in the NBA."
- Stephen A. Smith on Bronny James
(h/t @awfulannouncing )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 21, 2025
Fans have reacted to this with frustration, considering Smith's previous take on the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
One user on X said, "This clip right here perfectly encapsulates how idiotic, uniformed, & disingenuous Stephen A. Smith is. & he ain't the only one. this applies to every Bronny hater. having such STRONG NEGATIVE opinions of a player you ADMITTEDLY didn't keep up with AT ALL till he got drafted."
To shed light on Stephen A backtracking from his earlier statements, back on January 28, Bronny had a 0-for-5 night in 15 minutes played vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.
And following the bad game, Stephen A. highlighted that at this point in the season, Bronny only was averaging 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.4 rebounds.
"I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop 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
"We know he's not ready yet," Stephen A. said on a First Take episode that aired back on January 29. "And I'm saying this with compassion... I'm asking the greatest player in the game... who is a basketball savant. You know better than [anyone] what these number mean, you know what it's going to do to your son, to people who are missing out on opportunities [because of Bronny taking a spot on an NBA roster]... You are exposing your son like this?"
One fan (via X) pointed out how funny this "switch up" is, considering Stephen A., now is saying, "I always knew this kid has the potential."
"Stephen a smith was on national tv for the last month basically saying bronny was a make a wish kid getting an nba contract now it's 'I always knew he had it' after a 17 pt game lmao."
To note, Bronny has appeared in 22 NBA games this season, averaging 2.3 points in 5.8 minutes.
Then in the G-League, for the South Bay Lakers, Bronny has been putting up 20.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
