Stephen A. Smith blasts LeBron James for nepotism, begs Lakers to stop playing Bronny

Bronny James saw his highest minute total yet as an NBA player on Tuesday night in a 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, soaking up 15 minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers.

He finished with no points, three rebounds, an assist and a block.

The poor production was enough to beg at least one prominent NBA analyst to comment. And boy did he ever.

“I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be towards LeBron James,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on First Take on Wednesday. “One of the top two or three players in the history of basketball, No. 2 in my eyes. A treasure to the game of basketball that we should and will all miss when he is gone. I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: Stop this. Stop this.”

Smith had a relatively simple point. The younger James just simply isn’t ready for the NBA spotlight at this point.

“We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad,” Smith said. “The first game of the season, opening night, the Griffeys in attendance, father-son duo playing in an NBA game first time, an absolutely, positively wonderful story. And then reality sets in.”

Bronny James has now appeared in 13 games for the Lakers this season. He’s not made much of a difference. He has scored in only two of those games.

For Smith, it’s simply a matter of production.

“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,” Smith said. “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 invoked his two co-hosts on the show for his next point.

“Put them up on the screen, because I want to see their face when I say this: Right now Bronny James is averaging 0.3 points, 0.3 assists and 0.4 rebounds,” Smith said. “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 1-of-16 from the field, 0-for-7 from 3-point range. How are you doing him favors?”

Bronny James simply isn’t ready for the NBA, Smith said.

“We know that he’s not ready yet,” the long-time show anchor said. “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, one of the greatest we have ever or will ever see, who is a basketball savant: You know better than me, better than Doggie, better than JJ Redick, better than Rob Pelinka, better than any basketball analyst that exists. You know what these numbers mean.”

One of the reasons Smith has a problem with Bronny James soaking up NBA minutes right now is what it means for other, perhaps more deserving players, in the sport.

“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, what kind of opportunity they’re starving for,” Smith said. “You’re exposing your son like this? I know I’m not questioning LeBron James as if it’s dishonorable, Doggie. It’s incredibly honorable. He’s a wonderful dad. I swear to y’all on everything I love I’m not trying to be disrespectful in any way.

“I’m simply saying to have that moment on Game 1 of the NBA season is one thing. To propel it to the point where he’s on the bench, he’s in uniform, he’s taking up a roster spot and now you’re giving him time in the first quarter and you see the absence of production, how are you helping him? I just don’t get it. I really don’t see, I really don’t get it. I really don’t.”