Stephen A. Smith EXPOSES Bronny James For Going Bankrupt!

Stephen A. Smith is back in the spotlight—and this time, he’s taking direct aim at LeBron James and his son, Bronny. Calling LeBron “full of it” and labeling him a “liar” in relation to how he’s handled his son’s NBA career, Stephen A. made headlines by suggesting that Bronny’s financial and professional future may not be as secure as many believe. This bombshell came after months of tension and criticism centered on LeBron’s influence in getting Bronny drafted and playing time, despite underwhelming on-court performance. Bronny, who averaged only 0.3 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.4 rebounds over 13 NBA appearances, was widely viewed by many—including Stephen A.—as someone who wasn’t ready for the league.

Stephen A. compared Bronny’s situation to the infamous moment in boxing history when Joe Frazier allowed his unprepared son to fight heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. But his criticism wasn’t aimed at Bronny personally—it was at LeBron’s decision-making as a father. Smith argued that LeBron, through public statements and behind-the-scenes influence, had created immense pressure on his son by forcing the Lakers’ hand. LeBron’s own previous statements like “If you want me, draft Bronny,” and “Bronny is better than some of these cats,” only amplified the scrutiny.

Things boiled over publicly during a Lakers game against the Knicks on March 6, 2025, when LeBron confronted Stephen A. courtside, angrily telling him to “stop f—ing with my son.” Smith later explained that this wasn’t an athlete confronting a journalist—it was a father, emotionally overwhelmed. Yet, the feud didn’t end there. LeBron appeared on The Pat McAfee Show later that month and accused Stephen A. of using the drama for attention, comparing him to being on a “Taylor Swift tour.” That remark prompted Stephen A. to escalate things further, calling LeBron a liar on national television and declaring that, had the confrontation turned physical, he would’ve swung back.

Stephen A. clarified that his issue wasn’t Bronny, but the situation LeBron created. He revealed that he had intentionally avoided watching Bronny in high school and college to avoid the conflict of having to critique LeBron’s son. He said he finally spoke out only after Bronny began playing NBA minutes without appearing ready.

At the core of Stephen A.’s frustration is a broader theme. He believes some NBA players unfairly accuse him of “not being down with the brothers” when he offers criticism, despite his decades-long work uplifting the Black community. As an ambassador for HBCU Week and a figure who has helped diversify ESPN, Stephen A. feels wrongly targeted when his professional analysis is spun into something personal or racially motivated. He reminded audiences that he has praised LeBron James repeatedly—calling him one of the top two players of all time, a great father, businessman, and philanthropist—but that doesn’t mean he’ll shy away from calling out poor decisions.

Stephen A.’s pattern of fair but firm criticism extends beyond LeBron. He’s called out Zach Randolph for off-court issues, J.R. Smith for his Finals blunder, Kevin Durant for joining Golden State, Zion Williamson for his availability problems, and Russell Westbrook for his inefficiencies. Yet he’s also showered praise where it’s deserved—from Michael Jordan and LeBron’s accomplishments to more recent stars like Austin Reaves.

Ultimately, the Bronny James controversy highlights the unique tension that arises when family, legacy, and professional sports collide. The fanbase remains divided—some side with Stephen A.’s right to critique performance, while others see it as a personal attack on LeBron’s parenting. Regardless, this incident has become a defining moment in sports media, showing the complexity of navigating criticism when the lines between family, fame, and fair play are blurred.