Bronny James Opens Up About Controversial First Season in NBA: ‘People Think I’m a F---ing Robot'

Al Bello/Getty Bronny James during a game at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1, 2025 in New York City — Al Bello/Getty
Bronny James during a game at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1, 2025 in New York City

Bronny James spoke for the first time about managing his critics during his first season in the NBA
The 20-year-old son of LeBron James says he tries to stay "positive" as people say he's only in the league due to nepotism
Bronny says he keeps most of the criticism out of mind, but occasionally finds it "fuels" him

Bronny James is getting candid about critics.

The basketball player and son of LeBron James, 20, spoke to The Athletic about how he deals with what people have said about his first season in the NBA as critics argue he's only in the league due to nepotism.

"My first thought about everything is I always try to just let it go through one ear and out the other, put my head down and come to work and be positive every day," Bronny told the outlet.

The young star doesn't always ignore the comments, he says, and occasionally uses it for motivation. "But sometimes it just, it fuels me a little bit. I see everything that people are saying, and people think, like, I’m a f---ing robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions," he continued.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Bronny James at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 10, 2024 in Los Angeles — Ronald Martinez/Getty
Bronny James at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 10, 2024 in Los Angeles

As for how Bronny uses the harsh words to improve his game, he said they encourage him "to go out, wake up every day and get to the gym early, get my extra work in, watch my extra film every day, get better every day."

Bronny's playing time is currently divided between the Lakers and their G League team. He told The Athletic that his day often starts at 9 a.m. when he hits up the practice facility. Due to his split duties, he shared that he rarely gets to work out with his father, who has played with the Lakers since 2018.

"I am hopping from team to team, I’m not always with him on the Lakers," the younger James explained. "So not as much right now, but for sure when summer comes and when the offseason comes around, we’ll definitely be in the gym a lot together and working out and stuff like that."

Earlier this month, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith had a heated courtside discussion with LeBron that was caught on camera. Smith later confirmed on ESPN’s First Take that LeBron was yelling at him over his criticism of his son throughout the season.

Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Bronny James and LeBron James during a game at Acrisure Arena on Oct. 6, 2024 in Palm Springs, Calif. — Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty
Bronny James and LeBron James during a game at Acrisure Arena on Oct. 6, 2024 in Palm Springs, Calif.

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"I really understood where he was coming from," the sports journalist said. "He was very, very upset. I could tell. But he could’ve called me. I’d have came to see him. I’d have had a conversation with him. He could’ve been just as upset face-to-face, man-to-man as opposed to being courtside at the game. I had no idea that everybody saw it until I woke up this morning, but it is what it is in the end."

He continued, "Like I said, as a father, I get it. I’m not offended. I’m not insulted. I don’t have any animosity or animus towards LeBron James for this, nothing like that."

Smith previously said that he believes Bronny, who has averaged 1.4 points per game this season after averaging just over 4 points per game during his college career, is only in the NBA "because of his dad."

Bronny was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 55th overall pick during the second round of the NBA draft on June 27, 2024. The father-son duo became the first to play in the NBA at the same time, per the NBA.

LeBron is also father to Bryce Maximus, 17, and Zhuri Nova, 10, whom he shares with wife Savannah.

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