LeBron James isn’t alone in his public spat with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith—Dwyane Wade has his back (“I love both guys” and “it’s all love in sports,” Diplomatic, but had his back nonetheless). The drama unfolded on March 6, 2025, when LeBron, clearly frustrated, confronted Smith courtside at Crypto.com Arena. The issue? Smith’s take on how LeBron has handled Bronny James’ NBA journey. The heated exchange, caught on camera, spread fast, fueling debates over whether Smith crossed the line with his criticism.
And now another close friend of LeBron has joined his side—Chris Paul. And he had quite a clear idea of why James Jr. was at the end of such heavy criticism. “I think anybody who hates on that situation and got a chance to see that is basically just envious or jealous,” Paul said in an interview with Taylor Rooks.
CP3’s words tell us that the constant scrutiny isn’t about Bronny’s talent or work ethic. Rather, it is the unwillingness to accept that Bronny has earned his moment. That wasn’t all Chris had to say, though. “I think the thing that I’ve been most proud of… is to know how much work Bronny put in,” he noted, the pride clear in his words, as well.
For the uninitiated, the ‘Point God’ and ‘The King’ have a friendship that dates back to their high school days. They first crossed paths in 2003 as teammates at the McDonald’s All-American Game, where their chemistry was undeniable. LeBron has never shied away from expressing how much CP3 means to him. Their bond goes beyond basketball—it’s family. Paul is the godfather of the 4x MVP’s kids.
Hence, it isn’t surprising that the veteran star keeps a close eye on Bronny’s progress. And what he’s seen, he’s liked. “He’s [Bronny] been faced with all these different things, not saying this right or wrong, but he’s been faced with all these different things at this age. Oh, he ain’t that good at this age. And Bronny, just keep his head down, and he do the work,” Paul further pointed out.
Before you say that Paul’s views might be compromised because of his close relationship with the James’, take a look at the work Bronny’s been putting in.
Bronny James has been tearing it in the G League
Bronny James may not be making waves in the NBA just yet, but his development in the G League is telling a different story. The Lakers rookie has appeared in 18 NBA games, averaging just 1.4 points on 25.8% shooting—hardly numbers that silence the doubters. But anyone paying attention knows his true progress is happening in South Bay.
The Lakers drafted Bronny 55th overall in 2024 and expected him to earn plenty of playing time in the G League—and he’s making the most of it. In 16 games, covering both the Tip-Off Tournament and the regular season, he has averaged 17.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. In his nine regular-season matchups, those numbers climb to 20.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, showing clear growth.
Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) shoots a three point shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
With the Lakers on a four-game road trip, they initially sent Bronny back to South Bay, a logical move given the team had three games scheduled. But in a surprise decision, they recalled him before Thursday’s matchup against the Bucks. That means he’ll miss South Bay’s game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and possibly their rematch on Saturday.
His NBA minutes may be scarce, but his time in the G League proves he’s trending in the right direction. Development takes time, and while critics may be quick to judge, Bronny is focused on the grind. His best basketball is still ahead of him, and if his G League performances are any indication, it won’t be long before he makes a real impact.
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