Stephen A. Smith isn’t holding back when it comes to Bronny James’s struggles in the NBA, and he’s placing much of the blame on LeBron James’s public campaign to play alongside his son. Bronny’s difficulties in adjusting to the professional level have become increasingly evident, drawing scrutiny from fans and analysts alike.
“Respectfully, this is all LeBron’s fault,” Smith said during a recent segment, referencing LeBron’s highly publicized comments from a 2022 interview. “It was LeBron James who told the world, sitting next to his wonderful wife, Savannah… He asked the question, ‘What do you want for Bronny?’ and she said, ‘I just want him to be happy.’ LeBron then said, ‘I want to play with him in the NBA.'”
Smith believes that LeBron’s dream of sharing the court with his son may have inadvertently put immense pressure on Bronny, setting unrealistic expectations and accelerating his journey to the professional level. The current reality for Bronny is stark: he’s struggling to find his footing in the NBA, and the stats are hard to ignore.
Bronny’s numbers have been underwhelming. Across all professional competitions, he is shooting just 29% from the field, going 19-for-65. His NBA statistics paint an even bleaker picture, as he’s averaging just 0.7 points, 0.7 assists, and 0.3 rebounds in only 2.7 minutes per game. For a player with so much hype surrounding his entry into the league, these figures have left many wondering if the young guard was ready for the leap.
Smith also took aim at a March social media post from LeBron, in which he claimed that Bronny was “better than some players in the NBA.” The comment, which was intended to show support for his son, instead has become a point of contention. “Did you think people were going to forget that?” Smith asked rhetorically, emphasizing how LeBron’s statements may have added even more pressure for Bronny to perform at a high level.
Adding to the criticism, even LeBron’s longtime detractor, Skip Bayless, has weighed in on Bronny’s challenges. Bayless, who once saw potential in Bronny as a perfect complement to his father’s game, now appears to have changed his stance. “I’m just not seeing LeBron James Jr. as an NBA player, now or maybe ever,” Bayless recently stated. “Is it possible that Bronny hasn’t regained his confidence in his body since his heart injury? Perhaps… but there have been so many games where Bronny seemed content to just stand and watch.”
Bayless’s mention of Bronny’s heart condition refers to the scare he suffered prior to entering the NBA, which raised significant concerns about his long-term health and athletic future. While Bronny has returned to the court, questions linger about whether he has fully regained the confidence and rhythm needed to compete at the highest level.
Smith’s critique underscores how LeBron’s dream of playing alongside his son may have unintentionally hindered Bronny’s development. The desire to see Bronny in the NBA may have led to a rushed timeline, bypassing important stages of growth.
During his single year in college, Bronny averaged just 4.8 points per game over 25 appearances, suggesting that more time to develop his skills and gain experience might have been beneficial before making the leap to the pros.
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The weight of being LeBron James’s son comes with immense expectations, and while Bronny has shown glimpses of promise, his current struggles indicate that the transition to the NBA has been far from smooth.
Stephen A. Smith’s criticism, while harsh, brings to light the complexities of being the child of an all-time great and the challenges that come with trying to live up to the legacy of a legendary father.
For now, Bronny’s journey in the NBA remains a work in progress. Whether he can overcome these early setbacks and carve out a successful career remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the path forward will require patience, perseverance, and perhaps a more measured approach to his development.
As for LeBron, his intentions were undoubtedly rooted in love and the desire to share an incredible moment with his son, but the reality of the NBA is that talent alone doesn’t guarantee success—and sometimes, even the greatest players’ dreams must be tempered with the challenges of real-life circumstances.
