Has Bronny James been unfairly used by his own dad?
Sports :
NBA superstar and presumed billionaire LeBron James is arguably one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) to ever play the game of basketball. His only rival is Michael Jordan (whose NBA career ended in 2003) and, James has spent his entire career doing everything in his power to eclipse Jordan in the history books.
LeBron has regularly referred to himself as “The Greatest” in statements and on social media — as if he could speak it into existence in the minds of sports fans everywhere. He has won multiple NBA championships on multiple teams, anointed his childhood friend Maverick Carter as his business manager, made childhood friend Rich Paul his own agent and one of the biggest sports agents in the NBA, and is even in discussions to own a new NBA team (currently being considered for Las Vegas) when he retires. However, LeBron has always wanted more.
His 2 sons, LeBron ‘Bronny’ James, Jr. and Bryce James grew up playing basketball with the expectation that they would one day join the “family business” (whether they wanted to or not). However, in a move that some say was designed to outdo Jordan (whose sons never sought to play professional basketball), LeBron announced that it was his dream to one day play in the NBA with his son, Bronny, as his teammate.
Used to getting whatever he wants, LeBron placed his son in a basketball-heavy high school in Los Angeles. After graduation, Bronny was sent to USC, where he played college ball for less than a year — until an unexpected heart condition forced him to sit. Then, once he got an “all clear” from his doctors, Bronny declared for the NBA draft.
On NBA Draft Day 2024, agent Rich Paul called around to all teams threatening that if they dared to draft Bronny James, he’d play in Australia instead. Even a blind man could see that LeBron had convinced his Los Angeles Lakers to draft his son at the end of the draft to fulfill HIS dream of a father/son NBA duo.
The strategy worked and teams acquiesced to the Lakers choosing Bronny with the #55 pick out of 60. LeBron Jr. was headed to the pros.
The only problem was that he wasn’t ready and was nowhere near being a professional basketball player.
“Positional athlete. Doesn’t function as an elite athlete. Tweener stuck between two positions. Should be a point guard based on his size, but he can’t run an offense. He’s handicapped as an undersized shooting guard because he can’t shoot… He is not an NBA prospect in my opinion,” said one NBA scout.
“If the Lakers don’t draft him, I don’t see anyone drafting him,” said another.
At the start of the NBA Summer League games when rookies get a chance to showcase their talents and prepare for a professional career, Bronny James took the court as an official NBA player. Unfortunately, he was awful. He recorded 3 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line in an 80-76 loss. He missed his only three-point attempt.
Against the Miami Heat, Bronny launched a 15-foot shot that evolved into an embarrassing airball.
Laker fans did not hesitate to criticize LeBron and son, accusing the father of using his influence to rush Bronny’s place in the league rather than taking time to fine-tune his athletic abilities.
“Honestly, this is making a mockery of the NBA,” a fan posted on social media about the James family heir-apparent.
During a Summer League game against the Houston Rockets, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka was caught on camera appearing excruciatingly frustrated while watching Bronny James.
Now, social media is buzzing with talk that Bronny James should not be in the NBA at all — at least not yet.
Basketball fans are saying the quiet part out loud: that LeBron James used his clout to rush his son into a professional career, did not prepare him adequately for the pros, and only did it all to fulfill HIS dream of playing opposite his son in the NBA (a historical accomplishment that Michael Jordan never got to experience).
LeBron James is currently 39, has played 21 years in the NBA, and is unsure how much longer his body will hold up to the rigors of being a professional basketball player. Bronny James is 19 with only half a school year of experience playing college ball — yet he’s already in the NBA… and struggling.
Is Bronny James in the NBA because he wants to be and he believes he’s ready? Or, did LeBron rush his son into the pros for his own selfish reasons after realizing that Father Time is fast approaching — and that there’s no time for Bronny to get better before Papa LeBron retires?
OK WASSUP! discusses Sports News:
Why is Bronny James in the NBA?
Yes, Bronny James is being used, whether fairly or unfairly, by his dad to fulfill LeBron’s dreams and wishes.
LeBron has talked about it (them playing together in the NBA one day) since Forever!
But I actually think Bryce might be the one to keep an eye on more than Bronny!