Mess with a man’s family and get what’s coming to you. Needless to say, LeBron James lives by this mantra. LeBron wants to give all the love a father can give, something he never had as a kid from Akron, growing up with his single mother. It was only a matter of time before the media’s unrelenting criticism ticked him off, especially the critique coming from Stephen A. Smith.
The face of ESPN went as far as pleading with LeBron on national television to spare Bronny James, accusing the 40-year-old of hogging the spotlight. Stephen A. Smith realized the gravity of this mistake during last week’s Lakers vs. Knicks game. As the whole NBA stratosphere is now caught in a polarizing situation, a former NBA player and LeBron’s teammate put forth his two cents on the matter.
During the latest episode of The Pat Bev Podcast With Rone, the LeBron vs SAS drama inevitably popped up. And Adam Ferrone floated an unsettling theory that could be detrimental to Bronny’s career. “It (the whole controversy) makes me think that it’s really affecting Bronny’s mental health,” Rone said. Pat Beverley voiced his disagreement with that, but Rone continued. “If it wasn’t affecting his mental health at all, if he was just like ‘Dad I got this, don’t even worry about it,’ I don’t think that LeBron would have done something,” the co-host speculated. However, this theory was not far-fetched.
Nov 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) and guard Bronny James (right) during warm up before a game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
During a recent episode of Gil’s Arena show, Stephen A. was the guest of honor. Fresh off his $100 million extension with ESPN, SAS revealed a missed detail from the night of the confrontation. “So, I remember during a timeout in the first quarter, seeing Bronny. And Bronny looked over at me. He had this sad look on his face,” Smith recalled. “And I’m imagining pop saw that s—, it hit him and he couldn’t hold it. And he rolled up on me.”
LeBron James remains deeply protective of his son, ensuring that any mental health challenges, if present, are addressed with care. But the barrage of criticism endured by the 20-year-old is a testament to his mental strength, as Bronny is showing everyone in the G League that he can hoop. Pat Bev also agreed with the talent part during the podcast. Not only that, he even had a private text message in store to share with the audience.
Private text to LeBron James emerges amid Stephen A. Smith controversy
Those who’ve been teammates with LeBron James rarely had the chance to say something ill of him. Unless you’re Kendrick Perkins. LeBron as a teammate is well-spoken of and Patrick Beverly, who spent the 2022-23 season with the Lakers, knows a thing or two about that. So, from a more intimate point of view, Beverly analyzed the situation on his podcast and also leaked a text sent to Bron.
“The first thing after I see it (the confrontation), I text LeBron,” Pat Bev said as an enchanted Ferrone listened. “I have him stored as big bro with the goat next to it… Let me know if you want me to respond about that Stephen A. Smith s—, buddy was out of line. Keep being great always, love gang, say less gang blank blank blank he is love gang.”
As the conversation progressed, Beverly addressed the elephant in the room about Bronny’s eligibility in the league, talent-wise. After approving James Jr.’s basketball genes, Rone took over the conversation. According to him, most of the NBA stars’ sons do well in the league historically.
While media scrutiny follows Bronny James, his resilience on the court will ultimately define his career, not the opinions of analysts. As LeBron continues to shield his son from unnecessary criticism, the basketball world watches to see how Bronny rises to the challenge
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