It is difficult to think of another second-round NBA Draft pick who has garnered as much attention — if not hype — as Bronny James has this season. As “luck” would have it, LeBron James‘ eldest son was selected by LeBron‘s Los Angeles Lakers with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft — but aside from an opening night cameo alongside his dad, NBA opportunities have been few and far between for Bronny, who was regarded as a talented but raw prospect after playing one season at the University of Southern California.
Bronny has spent much of the 2024/25 season developing at a slower pace with the South Bay Lakers, Los Angeles‘ G League affiliate. The combo guard has flashed potential as a shooter and as a defender, but ever since he was drafted, Bronny has dealt with the unfortunate side of fame: internet abuse and trolling that threaten to harm his development.
LeBron is one proud father
During his guest appearance on Jason and Travis Kelce‘s “New Heights” podcast, LeBron spoke at length about his own rise to stardom more than 20 years ago, and how his early career was much different than Bronny’s to this point.
“I didn’t have to deal with the social media trolls growing up,” LeBron said. “And I didn’t have to deal with my father being this f****** guy on the pedestal. Bronny has to deal with all of that. And if you ever meet Bronny, you’ll be like, ‘I’m such an idiot to look down on him or not want him to do great.'”
LeBron, now in his 22nd NBA season, is the only NBA father to share the court with his son when both were/are active players. Though Bronny has only nine NBA regular-season games under his belt — LeBron has accrued more than 1,500 — he is taking care of what needs to be taken care of in order to garner more chances under Lakers head coach J.J. Redick.
“He is the most chill, easy, fun kid in the world. He goes to work, he goes home, he takes care of his body, he plays his video games, he reads a little bit and then he comes back and does the same thing,” LeBron said of Bronny’s routine. “But he’s dealing with all that too, but I think that’s going to make him be even greater.”