In LeBron James’s latest appearance on the Mind the Game podcast, the now 20-time All-NBA selection took a moment to address a couple of particularly important issues. At least the ones in his purview. Ultimately, this led to a pair of eloquent soliloquies.
The first short speech concerned Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, who has become a controversial sports figure without intending to. His second one was about his son, Bronny James. A 2024 NBA Draft prospect, Bronny is attempting to make his childhood dream come true. However, due to a subpar showing at USC, the hate his father receives, and troll culture, he’s having a rough go in the media.
LeBron James Gives Impassioned Speech About Bronny James
“I’m just kind of in this mode right now,” James begins. “…Watching my son —who’s a 19-year-old —getting a lot of
animosity and hatred towards him when he’s just a kid trying to live out his dream.”
Here’s what @KingJames has to say about @CaitlinClark22 and the hate that she has received during her time in the WNBA.
Watch the full episode with @jj_redick: https://t.co/5hyyY2bIhe pic.twitter.com/db4Jvj7OFD
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) May 22, 2024
“There’s a very small number of men and women that give to live out their dream of playing a professional sport,” he continues. “And we have grown a** men and women out here doing whatever they can to try to make sure that doesn’t happen. That is the weirdest thing in the world.”
As any good father would, James has come to his son’s defense before.
In a now deleted tweet, James called out his son’s naysayers, writing: “Can y’all please just let the kid be a kid and enjoy college basketball. The work and results will ultimately do the talking no matter what he decides to do.”
LeBron chimes in on Bronny’s critics and mock draft placing pic.twitter.com/74DwLSpJsN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 26, 2024
“If y’all don’t know,” the father of three continues, “he doesn’t care what a mock draft says, he just works! Earned not given!”
James also had a message for other NBA hopefuls, saying: “And to all the other kids out there striving to be great just keep your head down, blinders on and keep grinding.”
“These mock draft (don’t) matter one bit,” he adds. “I promise you! Only the work matters! Let’s talk real basketball people!
As he alluded to, James posted the tweet in response to a then recent ESPN mock draft. In the mock draft, Bronny wasn’t just knocked out of the first round. The mock draft had him being selected 39th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Keeping His Nose to the Grindstone
Entering his freshman season at USC as a potential lottery pick due to the momentum he was carrying from the McDonald’s All-American Game, Bronny’s fall from grace has been uncomfortable to watch from afar. One can only imagine what it’s been like in the James household, especially on those overcast days when criticism rains down on him with no end in sight.
That said, the pre-draft process has been good to James’s eldest son. He was among the standouts at the Draft Combine in Chicago, with strong performances in the athletic and shooting drills. In his second Combine scrimmage, he led his team in scoring. Now working out in front of teams for his Pro Day, he’s trying to prove that he’s more than just a name.
Bronny James (@BronnyJamesJr) had LeBron, AD & Cam’ron pull up to the Lakers facility for Proday 🔥 Showcasing his athleticism & shooting ability. @ChrisJHoops @KlutchSports pic.twitter.com/IbsM3MjG5V
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) May 23, 2024
While his doubters are still very outspoken, whispers about him being a legitimate NBA prospect are getting louder.
