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Stephen A. Smith has criticized LeBron James for complaining about speculation over when his son Bronny could join him in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers star took to social media on Monday night in a bit to ease the pressure on his 19-year-old son after mock drafts predicted Bronny would enter the NBA lottery in 2025.

In now-deleted posts, James wrote on social media ‘let the kid be a kid’ but Smith has insisted the four-time NBA champion only has himself to blame for the spotlight.

James has previously talked about wanting to play with his son in the NBA and it’s also been reported in the past that the Lakers would ‘explore the notion of adding Bronny’ to keep LeBron in Los Angeles.

Speaking on First Take on Tuesday, Smith said James is ‘completely culpable’ for anybody discussing his USC star son’s future.

Stephen A. Smith criticized LeBron James for complaining about speculation over son Bronny

Smith said James is ‘completely culpable’ for anybody discussing his USC star son’s future

‘When we get to Bronny James, that kid has done nothing. The kid has done nothing but work hard, try to get on his game and all this other stuff,’ Smith said.

‘Any attention that he’s warranted has been because of his daddy — “I want to play with my son. I want to stay here until my son gets to the NBA”.

‘There’s no crime in that whatsoever. You can want that. 

‘But when you’re LeBron James and you put the word out that you want to be with him. And you put the word out that you want to play with him. And you put the word out that you’d be willing to go to any NBA team that picks him up, knowing the power of LeBron James, how influential he can be, now you’ve got to wonder what team would draft Bronny James just so they can get LeBron James.

‘You’re gonna tweet about folks needing to leave your son alone? You did that. 

‘LeBron is entirely and completely culpable for any kind of critique coming in Bronny’s direction at this juncture.’

On Monday, the Lakers star took to X to comment on the report from basketball news aggregator NBA Central. 

LeBron hasn’t hidden the fact he would love to play with his son in the NBA one day

The post reported that Bronny, a freshman at USC, has been removed from ESPN’s 2024 NBA mock draft and is now expected to enter the league next year.

ESPN currently has Bronny projected to get picked at No 39 in the 2025 NBA Draft.

‘Can yall please just let the kid be a kid and enjoy college basketball,’ James wrote in a post that has since been deleted.

‘The work and results will ultimately do the talking no matter what he decides to do. If y’all don’t know he doesn’t care what a mock draft says, he just WORKS! Earned Not Given!’ 

After reiterating his son’s dedication to the sport, James commented on the little importance held by mock drafts.

‘And to all the other kids out there striving to be great just keep your head down, blinders on and keep grinding,’ he continued.

‘These Mock Drafts doesn’t matter one bit! I promise you! Only the WORK MATTERS!! Let’s talk REAL BASKETBALL PEOPLE!’