Tell me everything you know about Isaiah Wong. What about Gui Santos? Well, you probably can’t because they were the 55th picks of the 2023 and 2022 NBA drafts. The same can’t be said for LeBron James Jr. (Bronny), son of arguably the greatest basketball player of all time who entered the NBA as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, a spot that typically garners little to no media attention. Yet, from the moment he stepped onto the court, his every move has been scrutinized, with many questioning whether he belongs in the league or is only there because of his father. After a rough start with the Lakers, Bronny was demoted to the South Bay Lakers in the G League, where he won’t even play in away games. But the relentless criticism of his early NBA career is overblown. Players drafted that late rarely face this kind of pressure, so why does he? Because of his name.
Being the son of LeBron James comes with immense pressure, and players drafted late often need time to develop. Not everyone is a Rookie of the Year-level prospect seamlessly transitioning to the league. Bronny obviously isn’t a great basketball player. He averages fewer than one in each stat per game with limited minutes—but he’s still finding his footing. Meanwhile, top picks like Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher have underperformed compared to later-round rookies such as Dalton Knecht and Jared McCain, and they haven’t faced nearly as much scrutiny as Bronny. The world seems eager to tear him down simply because of his father’s legacy. The reason he even goes by Bronny in the first place is because he wants to make his own identity.
Additionally, it’s important to recognize the unique challenges Bronny faces. He was essentially thrust into the biggest stage and the brightest spotlight. Had he spent one or two more years at USC, his transition to the NBA might have been smoother, though that would mean missing the final years of his father’s career. On top of that, he’s recovering from open-heart surgery last August and returned to the court that December. Moving from a near-death experience to being thrown into the NBA that fast is a monumental leap that often goes underappreciated. This entire situation came too soon for him.
Instead of fixating on his struggles, we should appreciate the unprecedented moment we’re witnessing—a father and son playing in the NBA together. Bronny’s journey is unique, and he deserves the same patience granted to other young players. He’s not the best rookie, but he doesn’t need to be.
