Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, is no stranger to criticism. Ever since being drafted by the Lakers as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, media discussions and debates about Bronny have rarely been positive and often question why he’s in the NBA at all.
Despite strong performances in the G-League and outplaying many players drafted ahead of him, Bronny faces as much criticism as any rookie in the league, and he’s finally broken his silence about it.
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“My first thought about everything is I always try to just let it go through one ear and out the other, put my head down and come to work and be positive every day,” he told The Athletic.
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While he usually ignores the hate, sometimes it serves as motivation.
“But sometimes it just, it fuels me a little bit. I see everything that people are saying, and people think, like, I’m a f—ing robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions,” Bronny said.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith recently had a heated confrontation with LeBron during a game against the New York Knicks. Smith later confirmed that he was confronted by LeBron for his harsh criticisms of Bronny and for addressing LeBron as a father instead of an athlete.
LeBron James pressed Stephen A. Smith during last night's game.
James appears to tell Smith "Keep my son out of this sh-t bro." ????pic.twitter.com/CJrtsfQVLU
— Ball Exclusives (@ballexclusives) March 7, 2025
While he’s only 20 years old, Bronny seems to have enough maturity to continue to grow and develop his game. If he does so, he’ll be an NBA starter soon enough.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
