Battleground. This is the only word that perfectly fits the NBA. You survive or crumble under intense pressure. And if you’re a James, prepare for all the eyes glaring at you and your stats. Well, Stephen A. Smith has taken up the moral responsibility of firing not just at LeBron James, but also his son Bronny James. However, the 20YO rookie guard is trying, he’s improving, but that’s only in the well-wishers’ eyes. Because for the critical ones, James Jr. is far from being a star.

In Bronny James’ latest conversation with The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, he brought up the criticisms he’s been facing since his debut. Bronny was never just another late second-round pick. His name, his legacy, and his father’s history made sure of that. From draft night to his contract, the spotlight was always going to burn brighter. No escape.

Perhaps, the hardest blow came on Jan 29. Not just because of the words, but because of who said them. Stephen A. Smith, live on First Take, didn’t hold back. James Jr. had gone scoreless. Meanwhile, that was enough. “I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: Stop this,” he said. “We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.” To say this did not sit well with LeBron would be an understatement.

Bronny James opens about the human side of facing criticism amidst confrontation between his father and Stephen A. Smith

LeBron wasn’t having it. After a Lakers home game earlier in March, he made sure Stephen A. knew. He’d always said Bronny blocked out the noise, kept his head down, and focused. But Bronny? He admitted otherwise. He hears it. Feels it. Uses it. Every word, every doubt—fuel for what comes next.

“My first thought about everything is I always try to just let it go through one ear and out the other, put my head down, and come to work and be positive every day,” Bronny James said. “But sometimes it just, fuels me a little bit. I see everything that people are saying, and people think, like, I’m a f— robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions.”

The 20YO Lakers guard further added: “But I just take that and use it as fuel for me to go out, wake up every day and get to the gym early, get my extra work in, watch my extra film every day, get better every day. That’s what Rob wants me to do as a young guy, coming in, playing in the G League, and learning from far on the bench watching the Lakers play.”

Moreover, Bronny James hears it all—the doubt, the criticism, the harsh words. You see, he’s not a machine after all! He feels it. The heart scare shook him, slipped his confidence, and the game felt distant. Yet, he fights. Early mornings, extra reps, locked-in focus. His 1.6 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists on 26.3% shooting don’t scream improvement. But watch closely—there’s growth. The G League minutes are molding him. He’s not just proving doubters wrong. He’s proving himself right.

Meanwhile, Bronny knows it’s all about confidence. “I just think it’s a confidence thing,” he admits. In high school, he held back—averaging 12.8 points, 14.2 as a senior. At USC, the heart scare changed everything. “Didn’t really come back with a good amount of confidence,” he says after averaging just 4.8 points in 25 games. Limited freedom, low production—it all weighed on him. But now, with more reps and trust, “it’s been good for my confidence.” Step by step, he’s finding his game again.

Now, coming back to the confrontation episode between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith. LeBron protects his own—always. Growing up without a father, he knows what love means. So when the media came for Bronny, it was only a matter of time. Stephen A.’s words hit differently. Criticism is one thing. Family is another. And LeBron wasn’t letting it slide.

LeBron James goes into protective mode against his biggest critic for his son’s mental health

The LeBron vs. Stephen A. drama took over the NBA world, and now, the debate runs deeper. On The Pat Bev Podcast With Rone, Adam Ferrone raised a tough question—“It makes me think that it’s really affecting Bronny’s mental health.” Pat Beverley pushed back, but Rone stood firm. “If it wasn’t affecting his mental health at all… I don’t think that LeBron would have done something.”

Meanwhile, Stephen A. finally saw the bigger picture. On Gil’s Arena, he revealed a moment he missed that night. “Bronny looked over at me. He had this sad look on his face,” he recalled. Moreover, that look changed everything. “I’m imagining pop saw that s—, it hit him and he couldn’t hold it.” And just like that, LeBron had enough.

Most importantly, LeBron won’t let the world break his son. If Bronny James struggles, he’ll make sure he gets through it. However, despite the noise, the 20-year-old stays locked in, continuously proving he belongs. In fact, even Pat Bev backed his talent on the podcast. At the end of the day, James Jr. isn’t just enduring—he’s rising, fighting against all odds. While doubt fuels him, pressure shapes him, and legacy drives him. Of course, LeBron protects him, but ultimately, this fight is Bronny’s. Step by step, he’s turning whispers into proof.