“They’re Starving”: Stephen a Smith Makes Desperate Appeal to LeBron James After Lakers Fail Bronny James

“LeBron James’ firstborn.” Is that really all Bronny James is? Just his father’s son and nothing more? He’s already on the Lakers’ roster, officially a two-way player, and putting in the work with South Bay in the G League. But in the NBA, the rookie is still waiting for his moment. The timing just doesn’t feel right. His role under JJ Redick remains a mystery, leaving fans confused and expectations in limbo. Amid all this uncertainty, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith has a desperate plea for the 40-year-old father.

History books will write about Bronny’s debut in the league. Putting on the Lakers’ jersey and walking into the court alongside his dad, felt like a dream. The night was precisely special as the only other father-son duo in the sports world, that is, the Griffeys were in attendance. Since October 22, 2024, the Lakers have played 45 games this season and Bronny James has featured in only 13 of them. He has played a total of 44 minutes, and mind you this isn’t the average minutes!

So, SAS has a request from LeBron James.

Stephen A. Smith takes Bronny James’ matters in hand with a simple request for his father

Speaking or rather blasting out on First Take, the veteran said: “I am pleading with LeBron James as a father. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.” Recalling the father-son duo’s debut night, Smith says: “An absolutely positively wonderful story.” But then the reality set in. “We love what we’re seeing from him in the G League because that’s where you belong,” Stephen A. Smith said about Bronny James.

SAS further noted: “As you hone your skills you get better and you legitimately earn, which I believe he has the potential to do. 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.” Do I need to reiterate what it means to have the ‘James’ name on in the NBA? You always have the spotlight on you! But that’s beside the point.

Stephen A. Smith went on to state the stats and in all fairness, concerning would be an understatement at this point. “Right now, Bronny James is averaging 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.4 rebounds. 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 one of 16 from the field, zero for seven from three-point range. How are you doing him favors? “

This isn’t any favor the 18x championship-winning team is doing to its rookie. The Lakers are setting Bronny James up for the media’s guillotine! Thus, being the “greatest player in the NBA’s history” LeBron James has a big responsibility now. “You know better than me, better than J.J. Redick, better than Rob Polenka, better than any basketball analysis or analyst that exists. You know what these numbers mean. 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. You’re exposing your son like this.”

Surely, Bron’s son is experiencing the privilege of being his son. That’s the only way to put it through. Seems a bit harsh, but ‘it is what it is.’ Stephen A. Smith never minces his words when it comes to slamming LeBron James. But his recent take is more of a plea or rather a warning to help his son out of the scene that’s being created, it isn’t healthy and it will never be. Besides, there are so many players across the world, who are truly ‘starving’ to get what Bronny is getting!

Speaking of LeBron’s son, he showed up on the court for the Lakers on Tuesday. The game vs. the Philadelphia 76ers ended on a disappointing note. But what was more disappointing was Bronny’s performance.

LeBron James and Co. get cornered by the 76ers amidst Bronny’s season-high 18 minutes game

The 20-year-old guard’s sole achievement on Tuesday was playing 18 minutes for JJ Redick. The rest? All the same. Zero points, yes, let’s start with this one. He had 3 rebounds and an assist. And that’s all about it. LeBron James’ son didn’t play well, but he says he feels a lot more confident than he was at the beginning of the season.

Bronny James struggled in his minutes against the 76ers, going scoreless with a 0-5 shooting night, including 0-3 from deep, as the Lakers fell 118-104. After the game, JJ Redick didn’t sugarcoat it but also showed support. “He didn’t play well,” Redick admitted, but emphasized, “I have confidence in him.” He explained that the goal was simply “him giving us energy” on a back-to-back, acknowledging, “I maybe put him in a tough spot… nationally televised game in Philly.” Still, Redick sees the potential: “He’s been playing great in the ‘stay ready’ games and in the G-League.”

Given the current condition, there’s only one thing LeBron James could do: somehow stop Bronny from facing all the humiliation. Of course, he’s a rookie and he’ll have his time to shine, but when? Are we getting impatient or is Stephen A. Smith being a bit too critical? Well, that the time and the upcoming games will tell us.