![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/LeBron-Jeanie-Bronny.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/LeBron-Jeanie-Bronny.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago
Bronny James has been a major issue of debate among NBA fanatics due to his draft updates. The most prominent among those is NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith, who has constantly been charging LeBron James for his son’s well-planned draft entry. Smith had told before as well that Darvin Ham’s firing involved a big part of James. Though the Lakers superstar denied it, Smith is adamant on his claim. Now, the 56-year-old commentator has targeted LeBron for devising a way to ensure Bronny’s entry into the Lakers through the league’s combine game.
In his recent appearance on the show ‘First Take,’ when Smith was asked about Bronny staying in the draft, he replied, “So much of a transpiring seems so transparent. It’s insulting.” Smith here was referring to the process as how quickly Bronny ascended in ranks on the talent pool list to stay in the draft. Further explaining his point, Stephen added, “You have a situation where Bronny James is projected at 98 on the talent pool. He goes to NBA combine and it drops 44 slots to 54. …He dropped right around the numbers where the Lakers get the pick. So if we[Lakers] pick him, it’s justified.” The league analyst tried to connect the dots through the recent events as he alleged LeBron James for all of it.
What's next for Bronny James after he elected to remain in the NBA draft? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/AfQKMsPd3N
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 30, 2024
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Well, the dots do seem connected, considering Smith’s theory. With the stellar performance that Bronny delivered at the combine, he did not drop 38 or 50 slots. The Lakers have got the 55th pick and it was exactly around where Bronny got dropped. Considering LeBron’s status as a superstar in the purple and gold jerseys, it does seem connected. What do you all think? Is Steph’s friend and the Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss really under the enchantment of LeBron James?
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Did Bronny James’ draft update really bring Stephen and Jeanie close as friends?
It’s right that Stephen A. Smith has got to chat with the Lakers co-owner most of the time discussing LeBron James and Bronny James. So, in a way, Bronny and LeBron did help Stephen get the confidante status with Jeanie Buss. However, it was just a statement that Stephen mentioned while appearing on an NBA show. Moreover, he only mentioned about the chat and its insinuation rather than the candid conversation.
The only proof presented online is Stephen A. Smith’s interview with Jeanie Buss on his show ‘K[No]w Mercy.’ The 45-minute-long interview with the Lakers front office handler proved how comfortable Smith was with Buss. The latter got candid and discussed everything from LeBron and Kobe to women in sports with the NBA analyst.
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That being said, LeBron might have hurt his co-owner’s friend. Smith’s remark did not seem any close to normal statements. He seems to have got frustrated from LeBron trying to move the Lakers and now Bronny at his will. Do you all think the same as Stephen? Let us know in the comments, and check out what Shaq’s confidante and ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the marketing genius.