Two months after Stephen A. Smith all but begged LeBron James to stop the NBA's father-son charade, the ESPN personality is now singing a different tune about Bronny James, and social media quickly took notice of his shifting perspective.
The network's first-ever $100 million man took to the airwaves Friday on First Take and showered the Lakers rookie with praise following a breakout performance Thursday night against the Phoenix Suns, in which Bronny planed 30 minutes and scored 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field. Bronny also knocked down two 3-pointers and dished five assists. It's the second time in Bronny's young NBA career in which he plays at least 30 minutes. He also scored 17 points in 35 minutes of action against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 18. The long-forgotten footnote? The Lakers lost both of those games.
Nevertheless, Smith couldn't help but give Bronny the praise he deserves.
"I was very impressed," said Smith when asked by host Molly Qerim about Bronny's performance. "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."
Related: Stephen A. Smith Signs Record-Breaking New ESPN Contract
He continued, "Give credit where credit is due, there was some moves that he put on the court. Ball handling skills, getting to the basket, finishing at the basket, pulling up the jumpers, hitting a three ... I was impressed, ok? This is the big picture that I want to bring up: I might have been wrong. Are you listening LeBron James? Are you listening James family? Are you listening [LeBron's agent] Rich Paul? Are you listening all you people? Because here's my position, my position was all along Bronny James needs to be in the G League, let him be in the G League the first year, and then after that let him come on because I've always believed this kid has the potential -- once I watched him -- to be in the NBA."
Smith added that what he saw Thursday night makes him think that if Bronny continues to show up and ball out then he deserves to be on an NBA roster.
"I've always believed that this kid has the potential, once I watched him, to be in the NBA." - Stephen A. Smith on Bronny James pic.twitter.com/AhhVSU8ocd
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 21, 2025
Smith's latest analysis comes less than two months after Smith went on First Take and and pleaded with LeBron to end the charade, following Bronny's dismal performance just 13 games into the season. At the time, Bronny was averaging 0.3 points and 0.3 assists per game.
"I am pleading with LeBron James as a father, stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad," Smith said in the Jan. 29 episode. "The first game of the season, opening night, the Griffey's in attendance, father-son duo playing in an NBA game for the first time, an absolutely, positively wonderful story. And then reality sets in. We love what we're seeing from him in the G League because that's where you belong as you hone your skills and 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."
Related: Dave Portnoy Has a Strong Message for 'Crazy' LeBron James Fans
The contrasting takes didn't sit well with NBA fans, and they let him have it in the replies on X.
"Oh now STEPHAN A is saying THAT BECAUSE A FEW WEEKS AGO HE WAS A "FRAUD"? And needed to go back to G-league? what changed?" one fan tweeted.
Another added, "This man would throw his own grandma under the bus one day and praise her as the patriarch of the family the next. Anything for a little attention."
"It's crazy to me that Stephen A. Really felt like he knew what was better for Bronny from a basketball if stand point than JJ Redick, Rich Paul & Lebron James of all people," another fan said.
Earlier this month, LeBron confronted Stephen A. on the court at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Stephen A. took it in stride.
2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM.