In her latest feature, The Ringer’s Morin Fader pieced together a picture of Bronny James’ mindset as he’s met with a wave of criticism aimed at his underwhelming showing at USC.
Bronny James’ Mindset Amid Avalanche of Criticism Revealed
Despite facing immense pressure, Bronny James is “not even worried about” the notoriety that he faces. In fact, the USC freshman “blinds it.” At least that’s what friend and Memphis Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams has to say about it. USC head coach Andy Enfield would say “he wants to do well for himself, but he’s all about the team.” “He has no ego,” Enfield says.
The characteristics that Williams and Enfield speak of have been apparent throughout James’ basketball career. In fact, one of his major criticisms throughout high school was his lack of aggressiveness. A combo guard who follows his father’s ‘right way’ approach, it may be out of his nature to assert himself as much as others want him to. At 19 years old, he could also just be growing into himself. Even on the basketball court, James has always been a bit of a late bloomer.
First They Love You
Bronny James had a major health scare in July, suffering cardiac arrest during practice. At the time, James was flooded with supportive messages. The seriousness of the situation seeming to leave the basketball world suspended in time. After all, it was only months after the NFL safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the football field. Expiring during the game, Hamlin was eventually resuscitated. He even on to play again in a momentous occasion. He also won the 2023 George Halas Award for overcoming adversity.
The firstborn son of NBA legend LeBron James— a hoops prince— had experienced a similar fate. Fast forward nine months. As Fader notes, his noble bloodline has been met with jeers from spectators. Bearing the expectations of being James’ son— literally bearing the name LeBron James Jr.— he’s shown that he has an NBA-level feel and body.
However, his numbers are mediocre for anyone’s son. With the 2023-24 regular season coming to a close and NBA Draft season quickly approaching, everyone’s already counting him out. For this draft cycle at least. Yet, James has yet to make his draft decision. Klutch Sports superagent and family friend Rich Paul has said that he was making his decision based on team interest rather than draft position. Such a statement indicates at least a mild interest in declaring for the upcoming draft.
It should be said that if James does return to school, note prospects like Allen Iverson played in college for multiple seasons, as former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury recently noted in defense of the youngster. Nonetheless, James could make the process a whole lot easier on everyone, including himself by just playing better.
