NEW DELHI: Lakers superstar LeBron James took to social media to defend 19-year-old USC freshman Bronny James in response to recent NBA Draft speculation surrounding his son, urging speculators to "let the kid be a kid."
In a now-deleted post on X, LeBron emphasized that the work and results on the court will speak for themselves, regardless of draft projections. The criticism arose after ESPN reportedly removed Bronny from its 2024 mock drafts, now projecting him as a 2025 selection, as indicated by Lakers Daily.
Bronny, a 6-4 guard, faced a health setback when he went into cardiac arrest during a USC workout in July, resulting in surgery to address a congenital heart defect. After a delayed start to his freshman season, he made his debut in mid-December and has averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in 19 appearances.
LeBron James had previously expressed confidence in his son's NBA prospects, suggesting last month that Bronny could play for the Lakers "right now." The Lakers, according to The Athletic, were reported to be open to the idea of adding Bronny to the roster this offseason, with LeBron's desire to play alongside his son long being considered a shared dream.
LeBron James, at 39, faces increased scrutiny amid a challenging season for the Lakers, who currently stand ninth in the Western Conference with a 31-28 record. Speculation about LeBron's future intensified after he posted an hourglass emoji on social media before the NBA trade deadline, with reports indicating the Golden State Warriors inquiring about trading for the veteran player. LeBron, holding a player option for the 2024-25 season, is maintaining solid averages of 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game in his 21st NBA season.
(Inputs from agencies)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment