Bronny James and Stephen A. Smith (Image Credit: Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th pick during the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. However, this decision did not unfold as anticipated. Fans, players, and analysts quickly voiced their concerns, labeling it as nepotism. They believe the Lakers prioritized Bronny’s connection to his father, LeBron James, over other considerations.

Even months after the draft, this criticism persists. During a recent episode of the Club Random Podcast, host Bill Maher offered his insights on Bronny’s future in the NBA. He remarked, “Bronny James is the one who f**ked it up,” highlighting the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the young player.

“I see this sort of world of nepo babies and trust fund kinds when you’re out … Bronny James is the one who f****d it up. Because the point of it for people who didn’t see it is that sports’s the last place where you can trust that it’s not nepo babies … everything is nepo babies except sports.” Maher said.

Maher continued to criticize James Jr. by stating that the approximately 600 athletes in the NBA represent the finest talent in the world, emphasizing that James Jr. is not ranked among these elite players.

Stephen A. Smith Highlights A Crucial Mistake At The Center Of Bronny James’ Criticism

LeBron James, the iconic star of the Lakers, has made a significant mark in the 2024-25 NBA season by playing alongside his son, Bronny. This historic milestone sees them becoming the first father-son duo to compete on the NBA court. However, despite this extraordinary achievement, Bronny continues to encounter scrutiny. Sports analyst Smith pointed out a critical error that has fueled the ongoing criticism aimed at the 20-year-old James.

“LeBron James has done so much for this league, him wanting the moment of being in an NBA game with his son is not the crime. Here’s what the crime was, Bill. You have that moment on opening night. At that moment, Bronny James, you know you belong in the G League—go to the G League. ‘Now that I got this moment, it’s time for me to go and earn my stripes.’” Smith said.

At this point, Bronny has yet to effectively address the criticism aimed at his performance levels. He continues to face challenges when it comes to scoring.