Bronny James’ Emotional Confession About Criticism He Receives
Bronny James' Emotional Confession About Criticism He Receives
Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has faced unprecedented scrutiny since joining the Los Angeles Lakers as the 55th pick in the draft. The father-son duo made history as the first to play together in the NBA, but this milestone has been overshadowed by intense media attention and public criticism of Bronny’s skills and draft worthiness.
Recently, Bronny spoke candidly to The Athletic about the emotional toll of constant criticism. “I see everything that people are saying, and people think I’m a robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions,” he stated. While he tries to let negative comments pass “through one ear and out the other,” he acknowledged that sometimes the criticism serves as motivation.
The young guard’s development journey has been challenging. His NBA statistics remain modest, averaging just 1.7 points per game with a 22.7% three-point shooting percentage. However, his G League performance shows more promise, where he’s posting impressive numbers:
| G League Statistics | Average |
|---|---|
| Points | 20.6 |
| Rebounds | 4.9 |
| Assists | 5.2 |
Public opinion on Bronny remains sharply divided. Many supporters argue he receives “unnecessary hate” solely because of his famous father, with some fans predicting he’ll eventually become a regular rotation player. Critics, however, suggest he’s following in his father’s footsteps by being unable to handle criticism.
Bronny’s path to the NBA was unconventional. His college basketball career at USC was interrupted when he suffered cardiac arrest during practice in July 2023. After recovering and completing a shortened collegiate season, he entered the draft where the Lakers selected him, fulfilling LeBron’s expressed wish to play alongside his son.
The Lakers organization now faces the challenge of developing Bronny properly while managing the perception they drafted him primarily because of his father. For Bronny, the focus remains on improving his basketball skills while navigating the intense spotlight.
Despite the pressure, Bronny continues to work on his game, splitting time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate. His resilience through both physical health challenges and mental pressure demonstrates his determination to establish himself as an NBA player based on merit rather than his famous last name.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
