“We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.” Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back when questioning Bronny’s place in the league, echoing doubts that had followed the young guard all the way from college. But every rookie has something to prove. And No. 9 just delivered his loudest statement yet!
In today’s match-up against Santa Cruz Warriors, Bronny James proved his worth once again by scoring a career-high 39 points, seven rebounds, and four assists—leading the South Bay Lakers to a victory. The match-up was close with the final 34 seconds as Santa Cruz Warrior forward Blake Hinson made two of his four 3s to close the score difference only to suffer defeat at the hands of Stanley Johnson who sank a pair of free throws with 10.7 seconds on the clock.
With his third 30-point game in the G League, Bronny is averaging 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 10 starts for South Bay. The 20-year-old is the youngest player in the NBA’s developmental league to average at least 20/5/5 this season, per StatMamba.
If you think Bronny James was making waves in the G League, think again. Last Thursday, The Lakers faced the Bucks without key scorers among their team roster including LeBron James alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Bronny James delivered his best NBA game yet against Milwaukee, scoring 17 points. This is the same guy who has averaged only 2.3 points for 23 games.
Unsurprisingly, all this consistent output from Bronny James is sending shockwaves across the league. And, of course, fans wasted no time letting SAS know exactly how they felt about his past comments.
Fans celebrate as Bronny James silences Hhaters with record-breaking performance
As Bronny delivered his career-best performance (one of many no doubt), fans who stood by him all along felt vindicated. Meanwhile, those who didn’t, well, let’s just say, they were at the receiving end of some hilarious reactions.
One fan couldn’t resist clowning ESPN’s own in the process. “Stephen As hairline just receded to the back of his neck.” Smith has never shied away from calling out players (remember his unlikeable, not marketable comment on Jalen Brown), but clearly, this time, it came to bite him. The veteran analyst’s doubts about Bronny’s legitimacy in the league aged about as well as the hairline joke suggests – especially after the above-mentioned career-best.
Stephen As hairline just receded to the back of his neck
— (@MaskedInLA) March 25, 2025
This next fan had just one demand; “Stephen a… apologize.” For obvious reasons, after Bronny’s 17-point game, Stephen A. didn’t hesitate to praise him. “…I might have been wrong I thought that he should have been in the G-League for the year.” Moreover, he had quite the complimentary remarks for James Jr. like, “looked like he belonged,” “looked composed,” “completely unfazed,” Well … I am impressed. Then again, I suppose this is as close as we are going to get to an apology from Stephen A. Smith.
This next fan took the proverb a little too literally as he had just a picture directed toward Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A pic.twitter.com/NRPGbA0I7c
— Paulos (@NotLikeRuss) March 25, 2025
Another fan was simply moved by how far Bronny has come since the negative spotlight and ridicule. “He’s really starting to get comfortable.” If you remember, since his days in college where Cal fans tried to throw Bronny off his game with relentless boos and chants. But with his recent standout performances in the G-League, Bronny is starting to clear the air—and ardent supporters are loving it.
Much like our fans have defended Bronny way back.
At this point calling Bronny a nepo baby is not surprising at all. He has been called that simply owing to the fact that he was born with James as his surname. For example, in a late June 2023, episode of The Carton Show, Craig went off on then 18 years old; “If Bronny James is Bronnie Wilson and his father ain’t LeBron…he ain’t a McDonalds All-American, he ain’t on Team USA, and he’s not playing for USC. This is called nepotism.” But clearly much like Stephen A. had to face the harsh truth, Bronny is changing the narrative.
Stephen A. had plenty to say when Bronny entered the league, often questioning whether he earned his spot or was riding the wave of nepotism. But after his recent performance, Bronny has answered those doubts loud and clear that he’s not in the league because of his last name. He’s there because he belongs.
Bronny is proving them right and fans buzzing with excitement, eager to see how far he can go. As the season unfolds, the narrative has shifted—and for those who never doubted him, Bronny’s success feels like a victory they’ve been waiting for.
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