Stephen A. Smith: ‘I might have been wrong’ about Bronny James’ NBA readiness

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Lakers guard Bronny James shoots as Milwaukee Bucks forward Pete Nance defends Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. James had 17 points and five assists in 30 minutes, all career highs, causing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to reconsider his position on the rookie’s NBA readiness. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Stephen A. Smith isn’t quite ready to admit he was wrong about Bronny James.

But the ESPN personality did lay the groundwork for such an admission on “First Take” the morning after the son and teammate of Lakers superstar LeBron James played his best NBA game.

Two weeks earlier, after Smith was confronted by an angry James over comments the TV analyst had made about his son, Smith had taken to the same airwaves to assert that he wasn’t being disrespectful in saying he felt Bronny James belonged in the G League as a rookie.

On Friday, however, Smith told viewers, “I might have been wrong” about Bronny James’ NBA potential this season.

Read more: Stephen A. Smith says LeBron James confronting him was ‘weak’: ‘I was talking about you,’ not Bronny

That acknowledgment came after Bronny James stepped up in the absence of a multitude of his teammates — including his father, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith — against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The result of the game might have been a blowout loss for the Lakers, but Bronny James had a breakthrough performance. His 17 points and five assists in 30 minutes were all career highs, and his three rebounds tied his NBA best.

“I was very impressed,” Smith said of Bronny James’ performance. “I was very impressed because I saw an elevation in his level of confidence and poise. It was like it didn’t really faze him. He didn’t look as nervous as he had looked in previous appearances on the basketball court. He looked like somebody that belonged. …

“There were some moves that he put out on the court — ball-handling skills, getting to the basket, finishing at the basket, pulling up for jumpers, hitting a three, 17 points, 7-of-10 shooting from the field — I was impressed.”

He added: “And if that kind of…

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Publish date : 2025-03-21 20:32:00

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