“Bronny James doesn’t belong in the NBA. Not yet. Some people say never. I don’t believe that. I think the kid has a chance… but he’s not ready yet.” Stephen A. Smith’s time and again criticism of Bronny James showed how ruthless the experts can be against the alleged products of nepotism. And a significant section of the fans hasn’t been too kind to the Lakers’ star. Now, amid such circumstances, how do the upcoming NBA sons like Kiyan Anthony, Boozer twins, and Alijah Arenas avoid the same fate as Bronny? Well, former New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony seems to have found a solution.

Let’s not forget that the criticism against Bronny comes not just because of the fact that he’s LeBron James’ son, but also his lack of experience in college basketball and not being proficient enough to be selected in the NBA draft. As for Kiyan, the 18-year-old has been honing his basketball skills not just with his high school basketball team, but in tourneys like Nike’s EYBL and top 100 camp. His numbers as been quite impressive.

And to further prepare him mentally, Carmelo Anthony seems to know what’s needed the most. “I think it’s perseverance and, and really just not giving up and, and understanding it’s a journey. And just take it day to day and understand with that journey is ups and it’s downs and it’s ups and it’s downs,” he said on NBA on ESPN.

Well, this journey of ups and downs is what Bronny James’ basketball career seems to be missing. And exactly what Kiyan has gone through. Let’s not forget that Carmelo Anthony’s 18-year-old was averaging just 10.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game initially in 2024 for his Long Island Lutheran High School. But during the later part of the year, he turned the tables completely.

Kiyan averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in his last year’s run at Nike’s EYBL. And then came his top 100 camp run last year which was even more impressive at 28.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Now, the 18-year-old will be heading to Syracuse to further his basketball journey. And from what we have seen, chances are that Kiyan Anthony will only grow with each passing season. A career graph that Bronny James completely missed.

And thus the heavy criticism against the 20-year-old. However, it’s not as if he’s clueless about what’s thrown at him every now and then from critics. Just that he chooses to remain somewhat silent. That was until March this year.

Bronny James opens up on his repeated criticism since his selection in the NBA draft

From the moment Bronny James entered the NBA Draft conversation, the spotlight hasn’t been kind. You’ve probably seen the comments—claims that he doesn’t belong, that he’s only getting this shot because of his last name. And when the Lakers took him in the second round, the noise only got louder.

Through all of it, Bronny stayed quiet. No clapbacks, no emotional interviews—just silence. But in March, during a candid sit-down with The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, Bronny finally let the world in. What he shared might just make you pause.

He said he tries to keep the noise out—head down, stay positive, put in the work. But here’s the thing: he hears it all. And it stings more than people think.

“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 said. “But sometimes it just, it fuels me a little bit. I see everything that people are saying, and people think, like, I’m a [freaking] robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions.”

Still, he refuses to let it break him. If anything, he’s using it as fuel. “I just take that and use it… get to the gym early, get my extra work in, watch my extra film every day, get better every day.” Well, it seems even Bronny James has understood that perseverance is what he needs at the moment. Something that Carmelo Anthony highlighted as one of the most needed attributes for an NBA aspirant.