Stephen A. Smith is known for his fiery takes and theatrical delivery on ESPN’s First Take, but his recent monologue about Bronny James left Dan Patrick and his crew in stitches for all the wrong reasons.
While discussing Bronny James‘ rough performance in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers-where he went 0-for-5 from the field with three turnovers-Smith delivered an impassioned speech directed at LeBron James. In what felt more like a dramatic soap opera scene than a sports commentary, Smith pleaded, “Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”
The over-the-top plea that sparked laughter
Smith’s tone, filled with emotional pauses and heartfelt concern, was meant to highlight how Bronny might benefit more from playing in the G League to develop his skills. However, Dan Patrick couldn’t contain his laughter when he played the clip on The Dan Patrick Show, comparing Smith’s intensity to someone mourning a personal tragedy.
“You’re not sending him to Afghanistan-good God!” Patrick joked. “I wasn’t that serious at my mom’s funeral.” His co-hosts erupted in laughter as he continued to poke fun at Smith’s overly dramatic delivery, adding, “If you didn’t know the context, you’d think something tragic happened.”
Is Stephen A. Smith taking it too far?
While Smith’s criticism of Bronny’s NBA readiness wasn’t entirely off-base, Patrick’s mockery raises a valid question: does sports commentary sometimes cross the line into unnecessary theatrics? Smith’s passion is part of his brand, but moments like this blur the line between insightful analysis and performance art.
Patrick, a former SportsCenter anchor himself, acknowledged Smith’s talent for showmanship, saying, “He’s a great actor-absolutely. There is always theatre with Stephen A.” But he couldn’t resist the final jab: “It’s just a basketball game. He’s not in Iraq.”
Smith’s monologue may have been heartfelt, but Patrick’s reaction proves that sometimes, less drama can deliver a stronger message.