Stephen A. Smith changed the tone of his conversation with LeBron James. Despite his long-standing rivalry with “King James,” the ESPN analyst made a heartfelt plea to him, asking the Lakers’ star to allow his son, Bronny James, to grow at his own pace so he can fit into the cutthroat world of the NBA.

After Bronny’s scoreless performance against the Sixers, Smith tried a different approach to his conflic with James, by saying, “I am pleading with LeBron James as a father – Stop this! Stop this!”

Smith’s plea stems from Bronny James’ continued struggles in his rookie season, with the younger James failing to consistently impact games at the NBA level despite flashes of potential in the G League.

LeBron needs to step back, Smith insists

“This is a disgrace,” Smith declared on his show, “LeBron’s ego is blinding him. He’s pushing Bronny into this spotlight, forcing him onto the court when he’s clearly not ready. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion.”

Smith pointed to Bronny’s limited playing time and inconsistent performances, arguing that the rookie is being thrown to the wolves for the sake of headlines and social media buzz.

The outspoken analyst further claimed that LeBron’s influence within the Lakers organization is hindering Bronny’s development. “This isn’t about father-son love, this is about LeBron’s insatiable desire for attention,” Smith argued.

LeBron’s ego, according to Smith

“He wants to be the first father-son duo to play in the NBA, he wants the world to see his son succeed, even if it means sacrificing Bronny’s long-term growth,” the analyst claimed.

Smith concluded his tirade with a plea to LeBron: “Step back, let the kid develop. Let him find his own path. This constant pressure, this need for instant gratification, it’s only going to hurt him in the long run.”