Stephen A. Smith gave Bronny James his flowers after his most impressive performance with the Lakers took headlines on Thursday night.
In LA’s 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Bronny had a career night as the Lakers played without his father, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic. The rookie came off the bench to score a team and career-high 17 points in 30 minutes.
The G League swinger also tallied five assists while shooting 7-of-10 from the field and going 2-for-4 from three-point range.
In the back end of LeBron confronting him courtside over his criticism of Bronny, Smith admitted he was impressed by the performance while keeping his stance on covering the league.
‘I was very impressed because I saw an elevation in his level of confidence and poise,’ Smith said on Friday morning’s edition of First Take. ‘It didn’t really faze him, he didn’t look as nervous as he had looked on previous appearances on the basketball court.’
‘He looked like somebody who belonged,’ Smith added. ‘Just looking at the Lakers without LeBron, without Luka, without Rui Hachimura, without Austin Reeves, of course, that put Bronny James in a position where he could get his 30 minutes. But give credit where credit is due.’
Stephen A. Smith praised Bronny James for his career high 17-point performance on Thursday
‘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.’
The confidence boost was apparent as he started to catch his rhythm. In one play, Bronny impressively pulled off a double crossover to make space away from Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although he turned the ball over, the buildup embodied Smith’s praises.
Despite claiming he would no longer address the confrontation with LeBron, Smith sent another message to the four-time NBA champion and the James family.
‘I might have been wrong,’ Smith said, looking at the camera. ‘Are you listening, LeBron James? Are you listening, James family? Are you listening, Rich Paul?’
‘Because here’s my position, my position 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 cause I’ve always believed has the potential to be in the NBA.’
Smith went on to praise Bronny’s performance and how the G League staff has helped him prepare for the NBA. He noted that sitting on the bench and practicing with the Lakers ‘seems to be working’ for the former USC Trojan.
Smith also sent a message to LeBron James after the Lakers star confronted him courtside
‘When I was approached by pops courtside, I will content till the cows come home [that] I was never disrespecting Bronny James.’
‘I liked what I saw last night and Imma keep the same energy,’ Smith continued. ‘When he plays well, we gone give him props. When he doesn’t play well, we’re going to say so. That’s what happens with covering the league.’
Bronny has now appeared in 22 games for the purple and gold with a total of 50 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists. Meanwhile, he averages 20.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the South Bay Lakers in the G League.
JJ Redick’s team sits fourth in the Western Conference at 43-26 with the NBA playoffs quickly approaching,
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