TikTok trends have officially made it to the NBA, and Bronny James clearly spends some time on his feed. The moment Crank That by Soulja Boy blasted through the arena speakers, he couldn’t resist busting out the iconic dance. If you know, you know-it’s almost impossible not to move when that throwback beat hits. But while Bronny was riding the nostalgia wave, the rest of the Lakers bench looked like they were stuck in a different decade. Not a single head nod. Not a smirk. Just straight crickets.
It could be that Bronny’s in the clouds lately, and honestly, who could blame him? The postseason is coming, and all signs are pointing to him being a key asset for JJ Redick’s squad. His energy is up, his mood is golden-but clearly, not everyone’s catching those good vibes. And they weren’t shy about showing it.
Crank That hits, but the bench hits snooze
Even when your dad is the LeBron James, Bronny’s been determined to earn his place the hard way. He’s been putting in the work, and little by little, he’s carving out a spot in L.A. Some might love it-others, maybe not so much. The energy around him isn’t always 100% welcoming, and you can tell that not everyone’s jumping at the chance to celebrate his wins with him.
Several outlets have pointed out that Bronny’s shaping up to play one of the most important roles for the Lakers heading into the playoffs. And let’s be real-when you’re on a team expected to go deep and maybe even make the Finals, the pressure’s not just real-it’s heavy. But if anything, that pressure seems to be fueling Bronny.
Analysts who once doubted him are starting to take notice. The narrative has shifted from “he’s not ready” to “he might be the spark the Lakers need.” It’s a big change, and Bronny seems to be leaning into it. His growth hasn’t gone unnoticed-especially now that the Lakers believe he can actually help push them into championship territory.
Bronny’s climb isn’t winning everyone over-yet
As the team gears up to face the Timberwolves, all eyes are on Anthony Edwards-who’s been putting up crazy numbers all season. In prepping for that matchup, Coach Redick has called on Bronny and Shake Milton to play the role of Edwards in practice. That’s no small ask. Trying to mirror one of the league’s most explosive scorers? That’s a trust move. And it shows that Bronny’s not just here for the show-he’s got responsibilities now, and the team is leaning on him in real ways.
And yet-back to that solo celebration on the bench. That moment said so much without a single word. Bronny might be dancing to his own beat, and not everyone’s clapping along. But maybe that’s the point. He’s not here to blend in. He’s here to level up. Whether the bench joins in or not, Bronny’s bringing the energy-vibe mismatch and all.
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