NBA Fans were quick to react after Bronny James struggled against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during a preseason matchup. What should have been a learning experience for the rookie turned into a social media storm as clips of Kuminga clamping down on him began spreading online.
One fan posted,
“BRONNY JAMES GETTING COOKED BY KUMINGA,”
BRONNY JAMES GETTING COOKED BY KUMINGA 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FQNmHHhWZb
— Logion Noops (@LogionNoops) October 6, 2025
while another, @CLF__423 , added,
“NepoBUM really thinks he’s an NBA baller.” The term “NepoBUM” quickly began trending, a jab referencing Bronny’s status as LeBron James’ son.
@SethKinggg joined in the mockery, writing,
“Well he couldn’t even start at USC,” referring to Bronny’s college stint where he came off the bench for much of the season.
Well he couldn’t even start at USC 😂😂
— Seth King (@SethKinggg) October 6, 2025
Critics continue to question whether Bronny earned his spot on the Lakers through merit or family connections. It’s a debate that follows every move he makes, from Summer League struggles to preseason minutes.
Still, the backlash from NBA Fans shows how high expectations already are for someone who’s barely starting his journey. Every possession is magnified, every miss analyzed. Whether fair or not, Bronny’s learning that the spotlight in the NBA isn’t just bright—it’s unforgiving.
NBA Fans Split After Bronny James’ Preseason Struggles Spark Debate On Expectations
And we have a split decision. Bronny James, whether he is on the way to a normal NBA career or not, has what it takes to realistically stay in it, the fans are split. And with his preseason performance still questionable, the debate as to what his worth is in basketball is still up in the air.
@BricksCenter shared a screenshot, writing,
“BRONNY JAMES TONIGHT: 8 PTS 1-12 FG 1-8 3P MOST IMPROVED PLAYER CANDIDATE.” The sarcasm was hard to miss, adding fuel to the conversation.
But others stepped in to tone things down. @PullofLuna said,
“You guys should stop hating,”
while @ConsequencesTV reminded everyone,
“It’s preseason. He’ll get better.”
it’s pre season. he’ll get better.
— Consequences of Failure (@ConsequencesTV) October 4, 2025
The divide among NBA Fans reflects how polarizing Bronny has become. For some, he’s just a young player developing his game. For others, he’s a symbol of nepotism in sports—a kid given chances others might not get.
It’s worth noting that preseason games are often used for testing lineups and getting rookies used to professional tempo. Bronny’s shot selection and confidence are still improving, and even seasoned players struggle early on when adapting to the NBA’s pace.
Still, with every game, the spotlight grows brighter. The son of LeBron James doesn’t get the luxury of quiet progress—every turnover or miss becomes headline material. And while some NBA Fans mock his every move, others see the bigger picture: growth takes time, and patience might be the one thing social media never gives.
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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.
