LeBron James is arguably the greatest player to ever lay a finger on a basketball. Twenty-two seasons, four MVPs, 20 All-Star appearances, four championship rings—and he’s still going strong. To me, LeBron is, without a doubt, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).
The question now is: can basketball greatness be inherited?
On June 28, 2024, LeBron’s son, LeBron James Jr., better known as Bronny, was drafted into the NBA by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 55th pick. This move formed the first father-son duo in NBA history, but it also sparked a widespread debate: does Bronny really deserve to be here?
Given Bronny’s early career, it’s a fair question. Drafted at 19 after just one season with the USC Trojans, Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game—a modest stat line for an NBA prospect. Many critics argue that Bronny’s path to the NBA was influenced by nepotism, and on this point, I must agree.
Although his path was far from easy, in fact, his health almost got in the way of his NBA dream. In 2023 at a University of Southern California practice, Bronny suffered from sudden cardiac arrest. Bronny, who was 18 at the time, was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and later seen by doctors at the Mayo Clinic and Atlantic Health-Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. The doctors determined the probable cause of his sudden cardiac arrest was an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect which can and will be treated,” a family spokesperson said in a statement.
Even a year after the incident, Bronny noted that he is still affected by it. “My days aren’t normal anymore,” he explained. “I still feel like I’m getting back to where I was.”
Bronny’s critics already had their doubts about him, and his initial NBA performances added to the skepticism. In four Summer League games, Bronny averaged 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1 assist per game. His preseason numbers dipped further, with 4.2 points over 15.5 minutes per game, shooting just 24.3% from the field and 8.3% from beyond the arc. These stats seem lackluster for someone to even be brought up in the same conversation as LeBron.
When LeBron entered the league, he was hailed as the greatest high school recruit of all time, reaching the cover of Sports Illustrated and earning the nickname “King James” before he even graduated. He went straight from high school to the NBA, drafted to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his career debut NBA game, he scored 25 points in a loss to the Sacramento Kings, and, by the end of the season, he averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, becoming one of only three players in NBA history, at the time, to average at least 20 points in his rookie season. This performance won him Rookie of the Year.
Compared to that, Bronny’s stats seem mediocre at best for someone touted as the heir to the “LeBron” legacy. But therein lies the real problem: Bronny is not, and will most likely never be, the next LeBron.
“No, I think that’s unfair to him,” said Scott Berman, director of athletics and head basketball coach at Ransom Everglades, when asked whether Bronny could ever live up to his father’s legacy. The issue lies in the weight of expectation. It’s not Bronny’s fault; it’s the expectation that he will follow precisely in his father’s footsteps—which, quite frankly, is impossible.
Lebron is bigger and stronger than Bronny, measuring in at 6’9” and 250lb, compared to Bronny’s 6’2” and 210lb. But LeBron also has the mobility and speed of players half his height and weight. LeBron is a freak of nature, and it isn’t just raw talent that got him there. LeBron has a spectacular basketball IQ; he understands the game at its purest level and even gets his teammates involved, ranking 4th all-time in assists with a whopping 11,141 across his career.
But Bronny has potential in his own right. His whole life has revolved around basketball, and that experience alone is invaluable. He’s young, drafted at only 19, whereas most rookies enter the league at 21-23. This head start could be a tremendous advantage, allowing him extra years of NBA-level development.
Bronny’s role is likely to be different from his father’s, with many seeing him as a potential “3 and D” player. This role requires him to shut down opposing players on defense and hit clutch three-point shots on offense—a future he could realistically achieve with focus and dedication.
“A three-and-D type of guy would be an elite role for him down the road,” said Berman, comparing Bronny to players like Jae Crowder, Bruce Bowen, and Sean Elliott.
Recently, Bronny has been further proving and developing himself in the G-League, which is the minor league organization of the NBA, his role is much larger on this team and his output has improved. Bronny is averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists a game, these are pretty impressive stats for a 20-year-old, especially in the G-League where every player has something to prove. These stats show promise for Bronny in the future; however, his current NBA stats leave much to be desired as he is averaging less than one points, rebounds, and assists per game.
For Bronny to fulfill his potential, he must stay focused and not let media attention distract him. With hard work, he has the tools to carve out a respectable career and make a name for himself, albeit in a different way from his father’s legendary path.
In the end, it’s not about becoming “the next LeBron” but about becoming the first Bronny. His story may not follow his father’s, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be worth watching.
