One thing that you’ve got to always respect about Stephen A. Smith is that he’s not one to hold his tongue for anybody.
Whenever he feels like something fishy is going on, he will call it out. That’s how he’s always been, whether he’s right or wrong in doing that. He’ll stand by it, too.
That’s why the whole Bronny James thing is on his radar these days.
Bronny climbed up ESPN’s big board for the NBA Draft as the No. 54 ranked prospect available in this year’s draft after the NBA Draft Combine. That just so happens to be right in line with where LeBron James and the Lakers are picking at No. 55 in the draft this year. Did I mention that LeBron badly wants to play with his son?
This is all a little too convenient for Stephen A. He’s not exactly saying LeBron is pulling strings to make this happen, but he’s not not saying that, either.
He called LeBron out on First Take about this.
Stephen A. Smith finds it awfully convenient Bronny James is now ESPN's No. 54 prospect when the Lakers have the No. 55 pick.
"So much of what's transpiring seems so transparent, it's insulting… at some point in time, it's like too much looks too damn obvious." pic.twitter.com/A3e7chX1ND
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2024
“So much of what’s transpiring seems so transparent, it’s insulting. You have a situation here Bronny James is projected as ranked 98th on the talent pool. He goes to the NBA combine and it drops 44 slots to 54 and the Lakers have the 55th pick in the second round. I mean, really? … At some point in time, it’s like too much looks too damn obvious. And so I look at Bronny James and I’m like, man, I’m rooting for this kind… But when stuff like this happens it just invites cynicism and skepticism. And that’s totally unfair to this kid.”
I’m sorry. I just missed the part where this is LeBron’s fault.
I mean, obviously, he wants to play with Bronny. He’s made that pretty clear at this point. It’d be foolish to not expect that to impact the Lakers’ decision with the 55th pick. LA will probably try to get Bronny.
It’s also fair to be skeptical of LeBron saying he stays out of team decisions. I’m on record in saying that it’s way too convenient that JJ Redick seems to be a lock for the Lakers’ head coaching position after he and LeBron did a podcast together. That’s fair and healthy skepticism!
But, the last time I checked, ESPN’s rankings prospect rankings are done by ESPN — not LeBron James or the Lakers. If Stephen A. wants to blame anyone for this, it should be the company he works for.