Lakers guard Bronny James shoots as Milwaukee Bucks forward Pete Nance defends Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. James had 17 points and five assists in 30 minutes, all career highs, causing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to reconsider his position on the rookie’s NBA readiness. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Stephen A. Smith isn’t quite ready to admit he was wrong about Bronny James.
But the ESPN personality did lay the groundwork for such an admission on “First Take” the morning after the son and teammate of Lakers superstar LeBron James played his best NBA game.
Two weeks earlier, after Smith was confronted by an angry LeBron over comments about his son, Smith had taken to the same airwaves to assert that he wasn’t being disrespectful in saying he felt Bronny belonged in the G League as a rookie.
On Friday, however, Smith told viewers, “I might have been wrong.”
Read more: Stephen A. Smith says LeBron James confronting him was ‘weak’: ‘I was talking about you,’ not Bronny
That acknowledgment came after Bronny stepped up in the absence of several teammates — including his father, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith — Thursday against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The result might have been a blowout loss for the Lakers, but Bronny had a breakthrough performance. His 17 points and five assists in 30 minutes were all career highs, and his three rebounds tied his NBA best.
“I was very impressed,” Smith said. “I was very impressed because I saw an elevation in his level of confidence and poise. It was like it didn’t really faze him. He didn’t look as nervous as he had looked in previous appearances on the basketball court. He looked like somebody that belonged. …
“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, 17 points, seven-of-10 shooting from the field — I was impressed.”
He added: “And if that kind of stuff continues, then indeed he’ll be in the league as a bona fide player sooner than later. One game doesn’t make that…
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