Last night’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers saw LeBron James’ son Bronny James get his most minutes ever with 15. Suffice it to say, Bronny didn’t do much to silence the doubters – and may have even made more.
Bronny went 0-for-5 on field goals with three rebounds, one assist and three turnovers in last night’s 118-104 loss. After the game, head coach J.J. Redick admitted that he may have put Bronny in “a tough spot” by giving him so much playing time in a game like that.
“Maybe put him in a tough spot,” Redick said. “Flying up yesterday, nationally televised game in Philly and all that stuff. He didn’t play well, but he’s been playing great in the stay-ready games, and he’s been playing great in the G [League].”
And while LeBron once again got to revel in the dream of being teammates with his own son, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is not amused by it anymore.
On Wednesday’s edition of First Take, Smith pleaded with LeBron to stop trying to make Bronny a real part of a serious title-contending team. He stated point-blank that “we all know” Bronny wouldn’t be in the NBA if not for him.
“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, a father-son duo playing in an NBA game for the first time – an absolutely, positively wonderful story,” Smith started before eventually getting into the issue.
“And then reality sets in. 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, a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best.”
Stephen A. Smith on Bronny’s performance last night vs. 76ers:
“I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. We all know Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad…”
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/AFpfOp8V0D
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 29, 2025
“But he’s LeBron James’ son and everybody knows what attention that brings…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,” he said.
“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…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 that are busting their tail on other NBA teams…you’re exposing your son like this?”
He makes a compelling point. The Lakers and the NBA may owe LeBron James a ton for what he’s done for basketball, but it may be high time to start taking Bronny seriously and recognize that he simply isn’t ready for primetime right now.
Related: Bronny James Has Career-Best Performance Amid LeBron’s Absence From Lakers