Bronny James has big shoes to fill as LeBron James‘ son, but some NBA fans have raised the stakes higher. The 20-year-old’s recent match sparked criticism, especially from those who saw his achievements as nepotism. These critics believed Bronny only made it to the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to his father’s fame.
The “nepo baby” cries skyrocketed after he scored his first NBA basket and left with the net. One X user could not contain his disappointment against the NBA, demanding they stop forcing Bronny on viewers. The individual called out the basketball association for biased treatment, writing:
“All the preferential treatment needs to stop. He scored his first points as a pro, and you cut the nets down for him. Why didn’t you do this for others @NBA.”
Another X user echoed similar sentiments about Bronny, claiming he “doesn’t belong in the NBA.” The basketball fan pointed out that veteran players were sitting out games while LeBron’s son got to play. “@NBA please stop treating Bronny James, the son of a literal billionaire, as a make a wish kid,” a third pleaded.
A fan advised Bronny to train with the G League and become a better player before rejoining the Lakers. The criticism against the young athlete continued, with a commenter comparing him to Kamala Harris. They described the pair as “not talented enough for the position but know the right people.”
It was not all criticism as one NBA fan sent praises to the father-son duo, writing, “#BronnyJames scoring his first career points in the place his father built and was sitting front row for is part of the script you can’t write.”
Bronny James Scores His First NBA Basket Following Father-Son Game
Despite the online hate and nepotism allegations, many cheered for Bronny’s first NBA basket. He joined the match against the Cleveland Cavaliers with over five minutes left. He scored his first NBA points on a step-back, 14-foot jumper over Tristan Thompson.
Bronny reflected on the unforgettable moment in a post-game interview, appreciating fans’ support. “It was insane. Much more than I anticipated, for sure. It was a nice moment. The chants really got me. I was straight-faced, but I felt it,” Bronny said. “It felt pretty good, especially coming from here. It was a special moment for me.”
BBC reported that his achievement also impressed LeBron. “To see him get his first NBA basket in this arena, where he grew up not too far from here – it’s an unbelievable moment,” he proudly noted. Bronny’s big moment comes days after he and LeBron made history.
The James men became the first father-son duo to play in a regular season NBA game. Unfortunately, their sweet moment did not last long, thanks to a lawsuit. We reported that Bronny and LeBron were slammed over a 2022 car crash. The plaintiffs claimed they suffered numerous injuries after the pair rear-ended them with their vehicle.
How will Bronny James respond to the “Nepo Baby” allegations and the lawsuit against him?
