Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“Stop this” – Stephen A. Smith makes plea to LeBron James after Bronny James’ poor performance against 76ers

Stephen A. Smith wants the Lakers legend to stop favoring his son, Bronny James.

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angles Lakers rookie guard Bronny James played 15 minutes in the loss against Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night and failed to score again. His average performance allowed Stephen A. Smith to make a request to his father, LeBron James. The ESPN analyst criticized the 20-year-old guard for his poor shooting and advised him to play in the G League.

Stephen A. Smith wants the Lakers legend to stop favoring his son, Bronny James, who is producing an average season. The rookie is now 1-for-16 on the season over 44 minutes of action. Bronny went 0-for-5 from the field against the Sixers. His presence on the court has no impact on the Lakers’ overall performance.

Bronny James was part of the discussion on ESPN’s show, ‘First Take’ and Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back. “I am pleading with LeBron James as a father, stop this,” Smith said.

"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

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Stephen A. Smith wants Bronny James to play G League only

The NBA analyst questioned Bronny James’ selection in the NBA and he stated that the Lakers rookie is playing in the league just because of his father, LeBron James. “Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.” Smith continued.

Stephen A. Smith reflected on the positive story of a father-son duo appearing in the NBA game but he wants to move on from this narrative. “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,” the 57-year-old added.

Bronny James NBA stats:

0.3 Ppg
0.3 Apg
0.4 Rpg
6.3 Fg% pic.twitter.com/6mLtbAnfqe
— Thetruth (@Thetruth8240) January 29, 2025

Smith feels Bronny James has potential but he belongs to G League, where players grow and earn NBA selection. “We love what we’re seeing from him in the G League because that’s where you belong as you hone your skills and you 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, I wish him nothing but the best,” Smith said.

Stephen A. Smith feels Bronny James is not ready for the NBA. “But he’s LeBron James’s son,” the ESPN analyst continued. “And everybody knows what attention that brings. How are you doing him favors? We know that he’s not ready yet.”

Will Bronny James play against Washington Wizards?

Bronny James’s poor outing against Philadelphia 76ers raised questions on JJ Redick, who sent him early in the first quarter. The Lakers management can take a bold step and send the rookie guard back to G League.

His stats have been extremely underwhelming. Bronny James is averaging 0.3 points, 0.3 assists and 0.4 rebounds per game this season. However, he returned to Lakers’ roaster after a career-high 31 points in the G League but he failed to replicate the same against Philadelphia 76ers.

There is a high chance that we might not see Bronny James playing against the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. The South Bay Lakers will face the Texas Legends again on Jan. 31 at the UCLA Health Training Center and the rookie guard can return to G League with this game.

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.