The weight of expectation is always heavier when you take it from the shoulders of those whose footsteps you followed. And with Bronny James, it really hits different being the son of LeBron James if you’re taking the same path as him, as everyone assumes that products taken from the same mold should always be identical.
Bronny James just received strong words from former NBA player Kwame Brown. The remarks split the NBA basketball fans, as it does hold some weight despite plenty defending the son of one of the most successful players in the sport.
“And this ain’t Year 1,” Brown said. “This is Year 2. This is Year 2 — this don’t make no sense. We got high school players better than Bronny. Absolutely got high school players better than Bronny. Bronny was never the best high school player on his team.”
The comments came after Bronny James’ early-season struggles continued to draw scrutiny. Playing under the massive expectations that come with being LeBron James’ son, Bronny’s progress has been heavily dissected since his college debut. Many believe his development is natural for a player still adapting to higher competition, while critics like Brown argue he’s been overhyped because of his father’s name.
Still, context matters. Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest last year during a workout and spent months recovering before returning to play. The fact that he’s competing at a high level at all has been seen by many as an achievement on its own.
Fans Clap Back At Kwame Brown’s Harsh Take On Bronny James
And just like a bush fire, it doesn’t take much to light up the fanbase and spread the debate with
Kwame Brown’s recent comments about Bronny James. As it was mostly criticism on the younger James’ playing career, many came to the defense of the young guard, calling out Brown for unfairly targeting a player still early in his career.
@jbondwagon replied,
“@TheDunkCentral @Fullcourtpass And there are standout HS players who turn out to be bust in NBA… like Kwame Brown.”
And there are standout HS players who turn out to be bust in NBA… like Kwame Brown
— JBond (@jbondwagon) October 5, 2025
The jab quickly gained traction, reminding people that Brown’s own NBA career never lived up to expectations.
Another user, @CompLikeDrew, hit back harder:
“@TheDunkCentral @ThePurpleWon @Fullcourtpass Bronny had a heart attack. Which is a pretty valid reasoning to why he is playing how he is. Statistically, he isn’t even supposed to be playing. What’s your excuse for being the biggest bust in the NBA, Kwame? What, MJ calling you a word?”
The responses show just how divided fans are about Bronny James. Some believe he deserves patience and support given what he’s overcome, while others argue that fame shouldn’t shield him from criticism.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
