One of the most talked-about professional athletes is rarely heard from himself: Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James, renowned as the most famous two-way player in NBA history. However, that changed this week as Bronny finally spoke out regarding the constant media attention surrounding him.
Bronny must have anticipated the scrutiny when he was drafted by the Lakers last summer, fulfilling the dream of playing alongside his father, LeBron James, and becoming the first father-son duo to ever compete together in the NBA. Their appearance on the court together created an unforgettable sports moment, but Bronny’s every move has been scrutinized—largely due to the circumstances he finds himself in.
His journey to becoming a reliable NBA rotation player was always set to be lengthy, especially after time lost at USC due to experiencing cardiac arrest and being a second-round draft pick. Nevertheless, his G-League statistics are improving, and Bronny has shown subtle signs of growth during his rookie season on the NBA floor.
He found himself in the headlines again recently when his father confronted Stephen A. Smith at a Lakers game over criticisms aimed at Bronny from the First Take star. This confrontation ignited a new cycle of debate and scrutiny regarding his place within the league, yet through it all, we rarely heard from Bronny until now. In a profile piece written by Joe Vardon at The Athletic, who has covered the James family since their time in Cleveland, Bronny responded to the unprecedented attention. He acknowledged the criticism he receives and expressed that he uses it as motivation, even making a heartfelt plea to his critics, stating he is not a robot.
Throughout Bronny’s brief pro career, his father has often claimed that he tunes out the critics, focusing solely on his game. In our conversation, however, Bronny stated multiple times that he does hear some of what is said about him and utilizes it to his advantage.
“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,” Bronny expressed. “But sometimes it just fuels me a little bit. I see everything that people are saying, and people think I’m a f—— robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions.
“But I just take that and use it as fuel for me to go out, wake up every day, and get to the gym early, get my extra work in, watch my extra film every day, get better every day,” he continued. “That’s what Rob wants me to do as a young guy, coming in, playing in the G League and learning from far on the bench watching the Lakers play.”
When considered objectively, Bronny James’ transition to the NBA has progressed about as favorably as anyone could have realistically anticipated prior to the season. He has logged significant minutes off the bench during the NBA season while playing a prominent role and gaining invaluable experience in the G-League. It’s crucial to remember how little high-level basketball he has played thus far.
Additionally, the Lakers, under first-year head coach JJ Redick, are far exceeding expectations in the Western Conference. After acquiring Luka Doncic from the Mavs, the franchise’s future looks brighter than it has since LeBron and his team won the title in the bubble. Yet, amidst all the discussions surrounding Bronny—the criticism, the skepticism, and claims of nepotism—it is essential to remember he is a human being and a 20-year-old NBA rookie navigating a spotlight that few could fathom.
