STEPHEN A. Smith sent a message to LeBron James following his son Bronny’s rough start to the 2024 NBA Summer League.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ No. 55 overall pick struggled mightily in his first four games — before rebounding in the second week of the Las Vegas portion of the offseason contest.
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Bronny, 19, showed flashes of potential on the defensive end by appearing in two California Classic games and then making a few starts in the Las Vegas Summer League.
But he was lethargic and inefficient on offense, translating into 4.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per night while shooting 22.6% from the field and going 0-for-15 from 3.
His performance caused 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to doubt the 6-foot-5 guard’s NBA credentials as he watched Los Angeles’ 88-74 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday.
In a segment about the Lakers rookie’s Summer League debut, Smith, 56, brought up the viral clip of the Celtics star, seemingly saying, “I don’t think Bronny’s a pro.”
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The First Take star agreed with Brown as he moved on to his own analysis of James’ eldest son’s difficult start to his Lakers career.
Stephen A. said that, as the 2024 NBA champion expressed in a comment to his viral video, he is rooting for Bronny to use all the tools around him to establish himself as a successful player.
“All I’m trying to say is that Bronny is in a bad situation because the scrutiny that’s going to be placed on him is going to be immense,” the sportscaster said after the loss to the Celtics.
Smith referred to LeBron’s previous comments about a possible connection with Bronny and his son’s willingness to perform better than some NBA players while he was still at the University of Southern California, as well as the Lakers’ guaranteed contract that James Jr.
“I’m talking about actual game time,” the First Take star continued.
“What we’ve seen from Bronny James so far, all I’m going to say is that unless there’s a huge improvement, the only better time to see him is sitting on the bench or in training.
“Because if he’s on a basketball court, no one will believe that’s his credit.
“They’re going to believe it’s because of LeBron James.”
“And you already believe that anyway, and that puts you in a bad light, and that’s why I never watched him, because I never wanted to have to cover him, because I don’t want to do that to the kid.
“I want to give him an opportunity to grow and shine.
Bronny fears
Bronny James struggled during Summer League – and fans began to worry about the rookie.
A clip of Bronny on social media during an 88-74 loss to the Celtics went viral when the 2024 second-round pick also sank a three-point shot as time expired.
The 19-year-old didn’t do well in the contest, scoring just two points on 1 of 5 shots, three rebounds, one assist, two turnovers and three fouls.
“I really feel sorry for Bronny. this is BAD”, commented one of them.
“He must be nervous,” wrote another.
“It’s only going to get better from here,” said a third.
“It’s not his fault that your father was there doing what he did and started blabbing about your name everywhere.”
While trying not to “insult” LeBron, 39, Smith suggested that the 20-time NBA All-Star should not have added to the buzz around Bronny that was already loud because of his family name.
Particularly with the Lakers rookie evidently having “a lot to work on,” Stephen A. said.
“It’s just that, damn, you’re so media savvy,” he told LeBron.
“You had to know what that would… what kind of pressure that would put on his shoulders.
“And it’s unfortunate to see people scrutinizing Bronny the way they already are.”
Smith said he believes Bronny could eventually become a good play.
But he should spend time honing his craft in the G League until he’s ready — for his and LeBron’s sake, the ESPN analyst noted.
That’s because, Stephen A. continued, both James Jr. and Sr. won’t avoid endless questions about Bronny if he’s around and not yet prepared to deliver in Los Angeles.
“I promise you, he’s going to explode at some point if someone keeps messing with his son or bothering him about his son,” Smith said.
“The best way to protect yourself from that is to make sure he’s in the G League until he’s ready to step on the court in a Lakers uniform and make a contribution.”
Bronny responded to his criticism in back-to-back games against the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers point guard finished Wednesday’s game 87-86 over the Atlanta Hawks with 12 points, while also making his first two 3s, going 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
The next day, he had an all-around performance in a 93–89 victory over the Cavaliers, recording 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Bronny helped Los Angeles overcome a double-digit deficit against the Cavs, making a crucial 3-pointer in the crunch.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
