nypost
Bronny James has long been viewed through the lens of his father, LeBron James, but that dynamic has shifted dramatically. LeBron's move to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency has left Bronny as the third-longest-tenured player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster, and he is no longer sharing a locker room with his legendary dad. This separation offers Bronny a clear opportunity to establish his own identity as an NBA player.
On Tuesday, Bronny celebrated his 22nd birthday, marking a new chapter in his career. In the Lakers' first preseason game on Monday against the Sacramento Kings, he logged 16 minutes and contributed three points, five rebounds, two assists, one block, and one turnover. While the stat line may not jump off the page, it reflects the steady, unspectacular contributions that define his approach. Bronny's focus is on dependability, consistency, and mastering the small details—qualities that can prove his worth independent of his father's influence.
Key Analysis
Bronny has been working diligently to shed the nepotism label that has followed him since he was selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. After a standout 17-point, five-rebound, three-assist game against the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2025, even ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith acknowledged he might have misjudged Bronny's readiness. Last season, Bronny earned playoff minutes against the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, showing glimpses of his potential. Now, with LeBron in Philadelphia, Bronny can finally demonstrate that his career is his own.
During the offseason, Bronny concentrated on improving his jump shot, particularly the fluidity and speed of his release. He also maintained his weight at around 215-220 pounds to preserve his quickness. "I've been in the gym all summer working on fluidity and the speed of my release, stuff like that, moving," Bronny said at Lakers practice on Saturday. "Tied into that, just running a lot. I'm the same weight, 215 or 220-ish, but still slim so I can move fast. Just getting in the gym every day and continuing to keep a routine."
Bronny's journey has been anything but easy. He suffered a cardiac arrest as an incoming freshman at USC, a life-threatening event that makes his NBA achievements even more remarkable. As the son of a billionaire, he doesn't need the pressure or scrutiny, yet he continues to pursue his passion. His coaches and teammates respect his humble, likable nature, and he has embraced the challenge of forging his own path. "I mean, he's got his own path, and I got my own," Bronny said at Lakers media day. "So he knows that I want to make a name for myself and continue my career and keep growing as a player. And he knows that I want to focus on that."
With LeBron now on the other side of the country, the spotlight has shifted to Philadelphia, leaving Bronny to build relationships and earn playing time without the shadow of one of the most powerful figures in sports. If he succeeds, the critics who once questioned his place in the league will have nothing left to say. LeBron is gone, and Bronny finally has his first real chance to prove he belongs.
Originally reported by nypost.