Stephen A. Smith delivers hot-take on Bronny James despite never seeing him play

Bronny James finally delivered an impressive performance in the NBA Summer League, logging 12 points and hitting two out of five three-pointers against the Atlanta Hawks.

This game was a relief for the 19-year-old, who had not made a single three-pointer in his first three games, raising concerns about his position in the league. Despite this performance, doubts about his readiness remain.

Stephen A. Smith isn't a fan

Stephen A. Smith, a prominent ESPN analyst, expressed his doubts about Bronny James' NBA readiness.

Smith believes that James currently has no place in the NBA and that if he were to secure a spot on the Lakers' roster, it would harm his legacy.

"What we've seen from Bronny James thus far, all I'm going to say is that unless there is vast improvement the only time we better see him is sitting on the bench or in practice," Smith told ESPN.

"Because if he's out there on the basketball court, nobody is going to believe that's on his merits. They are going to believe it's because of LeBron James, and you already believe in that anyway which is why I have never watched him."

Bronny James showed his potential against the Hawks, but his previous three games were subpar. Averaging only 7.3 points with 30 percent shooting efficiency, he did not seem NBA-ready.

Reports suggest the Lakers plan to send Bronny James to the G-League for most of the season, focusing on his long-term development. This strategy aligns with the Lakers' vision for the USC alumnus, considering his current performance levels and potential.

Bronny James acknowledges his struggles and the need for improvement. After his underwhelming Summer League debut against the Houston Rockets, he described himself as being in a "slump" and openly considered the G-League as a viable option for his development.

"I'm just looking forward to any basketball I play, no matter what level I'm playing at," he told ESPN.