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Even though Bronny James was nowhere near Madison Square Garden, he still became the target of a sharp remark on the New York Knicks' most celebrated night in over half a century.
Tracy Morgan, the former Saturday Night Live cast member and diehard Knicks supporter, aimed a dig at the Los Angeles Lakers guard while appearing on NBC's broadcast of the team's championship festivities on Tuesday evening.
"Bronny look like he got JUCO ball written all over him," Morgan remarked, implying that the 22-year-old belongs in junior college basketball rather than the NBA.
The comedian was in a combative spirit throughout the segment, making it clear he had no intention of softening his words. "I just want to say what I feel," Morgan said. "You're going to cry tonight, that's what I want to see. I want to see a tear in your eye."
The timing of the jab was especially notable. The Knicks received their championship rings and unveiled their banner before opening the season against the Philadelphia 76ers, who signed LeBron James over the summer. The four-time NBA champion was making his regular-season debut with Philadelphia at MSG, which naturally put his son in the spotlight.
There was no immediate indication whether LeBron heard the comments. New York secured that banner by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the NBA Finals, capturing the franchise's first title in 53 years.
Bronny, meanwhile, is entering his third season with the Lakers after being chosen 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. His preseason did little to silence his doubters. He totaled 11 points on 26.7% shooting across four exhibition games, going 1-of-7 from three-point range with 12 turnovers in nearly 70 minutes, according to The Comeback.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick was blunt in his assessment, stating that Bronny "didn't play well" during the preseason. Redick did note, however, that Bronny had strong practices and that his role and surrounding group were not putting him in a position to succeed. Bronny still earned a spot on the Opening Night roster.
The clip of Morgan's comments quickly spread online, drawing nearly 200,000 views within hours. Neither Bronny nor the Lakers have issued a response.
Bronny will get his first opportunity to answer the critics when the Lakers open their season against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Key Analysis
Morgan's remark adds another layer of scrutiny to Bronny James, who has faced constant outside pressure since entering the league. The timing—during the Knicks' celebration and LeBron's Philadelphia debut—amplified the moment, turning a lighthearted broadcast into a viral talking point. With the regular season beginning, Bronny now has a direct chance to respond on the court.
Originally reported by yahoo.