‘Are you listening, LeBron James?’ – Stephen A. Smith issues defiant response to Bronny’s career game
Sometimes all it takes is a simple apology. Bronny James had his best game as a pro in the Los Angeles Lakers 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Lakers were without its stars on Thursday night, leading to James Jr. having the space to play his best game of his career to dateGetty The Lakers were with out LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, so while Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were able to coast to a victory, James Jr. was able to flourish in the absence of his father and star teammates. The result? James Jr. finished with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, with five assists, three rebounds, and a block. This led to Stephen A. Smith going on ESPN’s First Take on Friday to backtrack what he had recently said about the younger James. “I was very impressed,” Smith said. “I was very impressed because I saw an elevation in his level of confidence and poise. “It was like it didn’t really phase him. He didn’t look as nervous as he had looked in previous appearances on the basketball court. “He looked like somebody that belonged.” Smith was so impressed with what he saw out of the rookie, he even did something he rarely does. Admit (somewhat) he was wrong. The younger James had a career-nightGetty The father-son duo shared a moment before the game “This is the big picture here that I want to bring up,” Smith continued. “I might have been wrong. Are you listening, LeBron James? Are you listening, James family? Are you listening, Rich Paul? “My position was all along, was Bronny James needs to be in the G League. “Let him be in the G League his first year. And then after that, let him come on because I’ve always believed that this kid has the potential. “But what I saw last night made me say to myself, wait a minute. He keeps showing up and playing like that. J.J. Redick and his staff obviously doing an exceptional job coaching him.” James Sr. had recently confronted Smith courtside after the sports media personality questioned his ability as a father and that he unfairly put his son in a precarious position that he may or may not have been ready for as a member of the Lakers and NBA player in general. It seems like Smith is ready to abandon that take. After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised the 20-year-old. “Next step is becoming an elite conditioned athlete,” Redick said. “With his physical tools and burst and handle, we think he’s gonna be an above-average to really good NBA shooter. “He’s gonna have a chance to really make an impact.” James Jr. was drafted in the second round with the 55th overall. It was always going to take the younger James time to get up to NBA speed, and Smith may have unfairly jumped the gun with his criticism. And now it seems like the James family is getting the last laugh.
Sometimes all it takes is a simple apology.
Bronny James had his best game as a pro in the Los Angeles Lakers 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Lakers were with out LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, so while Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were able to coast to a victory, James Jr. was able to flourish in the absence of his father and star teammates.
The result?
James Jr. finished with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, with five assists, three rebounds, and a block.
This led to Stephen A. Smith going on ESPN’s First Take on Friday to backtrack what he had recently said about the younger James.
“I was very impressed,” Smith said.
“I was very impressed because I saw an elevation in his level of confidence and poise.
“It was like it didn’t really phase him. He didn’t look as nervous as he had looked in previous appearances on the basketball court.
“He looked like somebody that belonged.”
Smith was so impressed with what he saw out of the rookie, he even did something he rarely does.
Admit (somewhat) he was wrong.
“This is the big picture here that I want to bring up,” Smith continued.
“I might have been wrong. Are you listening, LeBron James? Are you listening, James family? Are you listening, Rich Paul?
“My position was all along, was Bronny James needs to be in the G League.
“Let him be in the G League his first year. And then after that, let him come on because I’ve always believed that this kid has the potential.
“But what I saw last night made me say to myself, wait a minute. He keeps showing up and playing like that. J.J. Redick and his staff obviously doing an exceptional job coaching him.”
James Sr. had recently confronted Smith courtside after the sports media personality questioned his ability as a father and that he unfairly put his son in a precarious position that he may or may not have been ready for as a member of the Lakers and NBA player in general.
It seems like Smith is ready to abandon that take.
After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised the 20-year-old.
“Next step is becoming an elite conditioned athlete,” Redick said.
“With his physical tools and burst and handle, we think he’s gonna be an above-average to really good NBA shooter.
“He’s gonna have a chance to really make an impact.”
James Jr. was drafted in the second round with the 55th overall.
It was always going to take the younger James time to get up to NBA speed, and Smith may have unfairly jumped the gun with his criticism.
And now it seems like the James family is getting the last laugh.
