Bronny James claims that his choice to declare for the NBA draft was not influenced by the chance to compete professionally with his well-known father. Despite being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James’ 19-year-old son Bronny insists he can manage the added attention and pressure of being part of the James family’s historic basketball run.
оn Tuesdаy, Brоnny remаrked, “I’m trying tо get my nаme оut fоr myself.” аll I wаnt tо dо is cоme in, dо my wоrk, аnd imprоve every dаy. I never reаlly gаve plаying with my dаd much thоught. Thаt’s аlwаys аvаilаble tо pаrticipаte in, but it wаsn’t my primаry emphаsis.
At a press conference held at their training facility, the Lakers formally unveiled Bronny James and Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht, their first-round selection. Last Friday, Los Angeles chose Bronny with the 55th overall choice, setting up a possible NBA first.
There has never been a parent and son that participated in the league simultaneously, much less on the same squad.
Bronny James remarked, “It’s definitely increased the amount of pressure.” I’ve already seen it online and in [social] media, with articles discussing [how] I might not be deserving of a chance. However, I’ve spent my entire life coping with issues similar to these. Nothing about it is different. Sure, it’s more heightened, but I can manage it.
While recognising that he didn’t necessarily share his father’s frequently expressed desire to play in the NBA, Bronny emphasised that he didn’t jump to the league only because his 39-year-old father is still an active player. Despite what he had lately heard on social media regarding the Lakers’ decision being a nepotistic attempt to keep LeBron James with the organisation for the remainder of his career, Bronny also understood he had no control over where he was selected.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James, has an older son named Bronny. LeBron James has played for the Lakers for the previous six seasons, and even though he turned down his $51.4 million player option for the upcoming campaign, it is almost a given that he will rejoin the franchise.
LeBron James sat silently in the back of the Lakers’ training facility’s gym, watching his son’s first press conference.