Stephen A. Smith has urged LeBron James to protect his son amid his NBA struggles.
Bronny James, 20, is in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, and featured in a 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
James went 0-for-5 with three turnovers in 15 minutes.
He was on assignment with the South Bay Lakers, LA’s G League affiliate, when the NBA team recalled him Monday to join them in the middle of their five-game road trip.
Bronny, the No. 55 pick of the 2024 draft, had not played meaningful minutes for the Lakers since opening night, when he and LeBron became the first father-son duo in NBA history to play in a game together.
Lakers coach JJ Redick gave the rookie a shot in the first quarter against the Sixers on Tuesday, while LA were up 17-9, but he struggled on his return.
Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey attacked him defensively to score before the younger James turned it the ball over on a pass to Anthony Davis on offense, leading to a transition dunk.
Bronny’s performance made headlines for all the wrong reasons, and led to ESPN analyst Stephen A. making an emotional plea to his father.
“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,” Smith began on Wednesday’s edition of First Take.
“I am pleading with LeBron James as a father. Stop this.
“We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad. The first game of the season, opening night… 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 you belong as you hone your skills and you get better.
“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.
“But he’s LeBron James’ son. And everybody knows what attention that brings.”
Smith then delivered a damning assessment of Bronny’s NBA numbers to date, and argued that he is being ‘exposed’ because he is not ready for the league.
“Right now, Bronny James is averaging 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.4 rebounds,” he continued.
“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 one of 16 from the field, 0 for seven from three-point range.
“How are you doing him favors? We know that he’s not ready yet.
“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… You know better than me, better than JJ Redick, 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 that are busting their tail on other NBA teams in the G League, in Europe, and everywhere else.
“You’re exposing your son like this.”
While Bronny is playing well in the G League, averaging 16.3 points per game, as well as 4.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds, it’s his NBA performances that will continue to be put under the microscope.
Speaking after Tuesday’s loss, even Coach Redick admitted he had put the 20-year-old in an uncomfortable position.
“Maybe put him in a tough spot,” he 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).”
