I parked this blog a few months back.
Upon hearing the Stephen A. Smith vlog though, I decided to finish this.
Nepo babies—kids who succeed because of their family connections—are everywhere. And in the NBA, there’s no bigger nepo baby right now than Bronny James.
As of January 30, 2025, LeBron James is still defying time. He hasn't scored in single digits this season, has racked up nine triple-doubles and 21 double-doubles, and remains a force at 40. Sure, his defense isn’t what it used to be, but let’s be real—when was the last time a 40-year-old put up stats like this? If the Lakers need to cover for his defensive lapses, that’s on them.
But here’s where things get tricky. The "LeBron effect" isn’t just about winning—it’s about shaping rosters to fit his vision. From Dwight Howard to D’Angelo Russell, he’s known for calling out weaknesses in his teammates. He’s the anti-Jokic, who quietly elevated a struggling Russell Westbrook this season. LeBron, on the other hand, demands players who match his championship mentality.
And yet, we’re not here to talk about his ex-teammates.
This is about Bronny.
The 2024-25 NBA season started with history—LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to share an NBA court. But instead of it being a feel-good story, it has turned into a harsh reality check.
LeBron may have ruined the NBA for his son.
Through 13 games, Bronny has logged just four total points, never played more than six minutes, and isn’t lighting up the G-League either. His college numbers at USC weren’t eye-popping—4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists over 25 games. He was the 55th pick in the 2024 Draft, yet the 58th pick, Ariel Hukporti, has seen more playing time. Worse, his fellow draftees don’t have the burden of being LeBron James’ son.
And his Lakers teammates know it.
There’s a reason Michael Jordan never tried to get his sons into the NBA. Second-generation players usually thrive when their fathers aren’t megastars. Kobe Bryant is a prime example—his father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, was a solid NBA player but not a superstar. His overseas career pushed Kobe to refine his skills instead of relying on a name.
MICHAEL JORDAN'S SONS
PLAYER | TEAM | STATS |
JEFF JORDAN | ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI / UCF KNIGHTS | 107 GAMES | 1.6PPG - 0.8RPG - 1.2APG - 40% FG - 58% FT - 28% 3PT |
MARCUS JORDAN | UNIV OF CENTRAL FLORIDA KNIGHTS | 94 GAMES | 12.3PPG - 2.9RPG - 2.7APG - 39% FG - 74% FT - 31% 3PT |
It’s different when you’re a “Jr.” Look at Glen Rice Jr., Glenn Robinson III, and Patrick Ewing Jr.—all had brief stints in the league before fading out. Zaire Wade was once seen as a future NBA prospect, but he last played in Macau.
Bronny is in a lose-lose situation.
He's a high-profile prospect without his father’s talent, yet he's stuck in a system where his greatest advantage—his youth—is negated because his dad is still better than him at 40. And no matter where he plays, whether in the NBA or G-League, there will always be guys like Patrick Beverley in his face, ready to test if he’s more than just a famous last name.
For comparison, take Dodot Jaworski in the PBA. He wasn’t a star, and yes, every move he made screamed nepotism. But his father, Robert Jaworski, made sure to put him in situations where he could contribute. Dodot had a defined role—whether as a starter playing limited first-quarter minutes or as a situational sub for Vince Hizon or Benny Cheng in the first half. He wasn’t just on the court for sentimentality; he had a job to do, took shots when needed, and played within his limitations.
Bronny?
He’s barely getting chances, and when he does, he's shooting JUST 6% from the field.
Everyone wanted to see LeBron team up with Bronny. It was a historic moment, a father and son sharing the court in an actual NBA game. But after that first game, the question remains—what now? What’s the long-term plan for Bronny? Sure, he’s putting up numbers in the G-League, but would he be better off playing overseas?
Take LaMelo Ball, for example. He skipped college and developed his game in Australia, where the physicality and NBA-style play toughened him up for the league. In the NBL, positions blur—guards bang with bigs, and you learn to play through contact. That’s the kind of experience Bronny needs.
The difference is that Robert Jaworski had a plan for Dodot. He carved out a role for his son within the system. LeBron, as “LeGM,” may have gotten Bronny on the Lakers, but what’s the next step? JJ Redick, a first-time head coach, is already feeling the weight of bringing the Lakers back to contention. His focus is on developing guys like Max Christie and Dalton Knecht—players who could ACTUALLY contribute long-term.
I know the Lakers are above .500, but for a franchise with their history, simply hovering around the fifth or sixth seed isn’t good enough—especially when LeBron is involved. We’ve seen it before: when expectations aren’t met, the blame game starts, and more often than not, the head coach is the first to go. Given LeBron’s track record, JJ Redick is under serious pressure. If the Lakers don’t make a deep playoff run, his first year as an NBA coach might also be his last.
Meanwhile, every time Bronny steps on the court, he’s not just trying to prove himself—he’s a target. Opponents, many of whom clawed their way into the league against impossible odds, see him as the kid who got in because of his last name. And they’re making sure he feels it.
LeBron needs to send Bronny to real basketball boot camp—strip away the luxuries and force him to grind. The G-League won’t help if it’s just another distraction. Maybe he needs a training arc straight out of Rambo.
Because the worst thing LeBron gave his son wasn’t a legacy.
It was the moment.
And if any other player tries this in the future, they better make sure their kid is ready to take the baton.