Bronny James has faced relentless scrutiny throughout his rookie NBA season, but his latest performance may have silenced some doubters- at least for now. The 20-year-old Los Angeles Lakers guard delivered his best game yet against the Milwaukee Bucks, prompting his mother, Savannah James, to send a subtle yet pointed message to his critics.
Despite the Lakers’ lopsided 118–89 defeat, Bronny’s individual performance stood out. After weeks of questions surrounding his place in the league, he logged his most significant minutes of the season and showcased the poise defining his basketball journey. Savannah wasted no time highlighting her son’s progress, using social media to amplify his moment.
A Mother’s Message To The Critics
Following the game, Savannah took to Instagram to share Bronny’s stat line, tagging ESPN, NBA on ESPN, and SportsCenter. Her caption? A direct but understated shot at those questioning her son’s merit. Quoting Bronny’s own words about handling criticism, she wrote: “Mean what you say, and say what you mean ???”
Though she didn’t name anyone directly, the message seemed aimed at ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, one of Bronny’s loudest critics. Smith questioned whether the young guard belonged in the NBA, a stance that led to a heated courtside exchange between him and LeBron James earlier this month.
Stephen A. Smith's comments on Bronny James sound a bit different after James' 17-point performance 👀 pic.twitter.com/AHuNl4spVS
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 21, 2025
Bronny James, selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, has acknowledged the weight of public scrutiny. “I see everything that people are saying,” he admitted recently. “And people think like I’m a f—— robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions.”
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Savannah’s post resonated across social media, with fans and analysts interpreting it as a well-earned clapback. While Bronny’s journey is far from over, Thursday’s performance showed what he can become. For Savannah James, it was a graceful but firm reminder that she was paying attention and not afraid to speak up.
Also Read: Bronny James Breaks His Silence & Fires Back At Critics Who Are Calling Him “A F–king Robot”
