LeBron James’ Courtside Drama Overshadowed as Bryce James’ 1-Word Message Seals His Redemption Arc

October 22, 2024: LeBron James stood on the courtside, ready as always. However, the air that day was a bit different. While the audiences were cheering extra loud drowning out all other noise, the veteran also seemed to have an extra bounce in his step. 20-year-old Bronny nervously took off his jacket, ready to step in during the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. As he stepped on the court alongside The Akron Hammer, they became the first father-son duo to play an NBA game together. In reality, it lasted just 2 minutes and 41 seconds, but it was a moment that made history, and also made Bronny an easy target…

As soon as the youngster failed to make much of an impact during his team’s 110-103 win against the Wolves, a storm arose—one that can be described as fierce, and unforgiving. The one word on everybody’s lips? Nepotism. Notably, the issue had risen ever since the budding NBA player had been picked 55th overall (second round) by the team in the 2024 NBA Draft, which was only intensified after the October matchup. But there was one person who took it up a notch with his pointed words.

But was LeBron going to let it slide just like that? Well, he didn’t—which was amply clear as the Lakers arrived for a clash with the Knicks at the Crypto.com Arena on March 6. But before we get to that, on that same day, the NBA superstar’s younger son Bryce also stole the show with some heroics of his own…

The Sierra Canyon Trailblazers, where Bryce currently plays, embarked on a perfect road to redemption against Santa Barbara. Notably, the latter had pulled off of a 75-74 win against the Trailblazers in December last year, thanks to a legendary buzzer-beater by Luke Zuffelato. However, as the duo met again, saying that the Sierra Canyon boys were on fire would be an understatement. They were already playing like the best in the nation in the last few weeks, and repeated the same with a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Going into the fourth quarter, that lead had taken shape at a 55-40. And by the time the buzzer marked the end, the scoreline read a devastating 78-45 loss for Santa Barbara.

Soon after, Ballislife posted the highlights on their Instagram account, captioned, “Sierra Canyon got their get back against Santa Barbara in their second meeting of the season, winning the rematch by 33 POINTS 🤯🤯 The final score was 78-45 😤” But it was a comment by Bryce that really stood out. He had been receiving a lot of flak for his ordinary performances, and quickly commented “GBG” or ‘Get Back Gang’ drawing attention. Notably, the ‘Get Back’ mentality has always a silent trademark for the James family. It was this very mentality that allowed his dad to stage the most impressive 3-1 comeback in NBA Finals history, got Bronny back to his feet after his heart issues, and helped LeBron’s mom as a single mother before her son made it big. Whenever the cards have been stacked against the family, they’ve shown why they’re a part of the ‘GBG.’

Interestingly, that’s also the mentality that the Lakers veteran took up before his matchup with the New York Knicks—albeit in a different way. Shortly before the game was about to start, the 40-year-old was caught in a viral video talking animatedly, and rather angrily with Stephen A. Smith. The reason for the confrontation? Defending Bronny James against the ESPN’s broadcaster’s pointed critique.

The next day, Smith confirmed on his podcast that James told him to “stop f—ing with my son. That’s my f—ing son. Stop f—ing with my son.” On Friday’s First Take episode, the broadcaster also expressed his appreciation for the player and mentioned how “that wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father. And I can’t sit here and be angry, or feel slighted by LeBron James and any way in that regard.” But what exactly made the player so angry?

Well, for the unversed, appearing on First Take in January this year, Smith had brutally opined, “I am pleading with LeBron James as a father, stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad. The first game of the season, opening night, the Griffeys in attendance, father-son duo playing in an NBA game for the first time, an absolutely, positively wonderful story. And then reality sets in. We love what we’re seeing from him in the G League because that’s where you belong as you hone your skills and you get better and you legitimately earn—which I believe he has the potential to do.”

“I am rooting for Bronny James. It would be cruel to root against him. He’s a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best. But he’s LeBron James’ son. And everybody knows what attention that brings … Right now Bronny James is averaging 0.3 points, 0.3 assists and 0.4 rebounds. You know what people are saying. You know what they’re going to do to this kid,” he concluded.

On a separate note, Bryce will need to continue with this ‘GBG’ mentality, as he has a long road ahead of him. He will run into nay-sayers, and he will have to prove them wrong. The six-foot-six guard from Sierra Canyon has committed to the University of Arizona for the upcoming college season, and will is likely to stay there as he develops. Speaking of development, Bryce might also want to tap into the knowledge bank of his elder brother, who has gone through everything and more!

What can Bryce James learn from his older brother?

People sometimes forget how good of a prospect Bronny really was. The six-foot-two point guard, before his heart issues, was a top 10 player in his draft class according to On3! His outside shooting and pesky defense made him a fabulous 3&D player. Bryce can stand to learn a thing or two from big bro!

However, the narratives have always pitted the two against each other. Critics of Bronny say that Bryce is a superior prospect. He’s taller, he has better shooting rhythm, and he has a larger wingspan. On the flip side, people say that Bronny is more athletic and has elite basketball IQ and vision.

In reality, it’s not really a competition. The two brothers are students of the game, and their paths have been completely different. Bronny James, in high school, was a genuine five star prospect. He shot lights out during the McDonald’s All-American game and finished as one of the leading point getters. Even though he didn’t grow into a six-eight frame like his dad, Bronny sure was just as athletic, if not more!

Bryce, on the other hand, didn’t make the McDonald’s game. But, he has always been looked at as more of a raw prospect. The size he possesses, as well as the shooting form, make up for a lot of detractors in his game. However, his game is in need of a lot of development, which is also a big reason behind committing to Arizona. Tommy Lloyd is known to be patient, and that’s exactly what Bryce needs.

And as for who is better? It’s safe to say that it doesn’t matter. Both players are in different stages of their careers, with Bronny balling out in the G-League right now. Bryce has the spark in him too, but he needs the right guidance to succeed. If he manages to pick up on the defensive IQ of his older brother, and consolidates his shooting a little more, Bryce James can be a genuine hooper in the NBA.