LeBron James took a moment after the Los Angeles Lakers‘ latest 89-111 loss to the Boston Celtics to reflect on the state of his relationship with longtime Eastern Conference rival Jaylen Brown with honesty and candidness.
James, who continues to cement his legacy as one of the NBA’s all-time greats, was asked about his dynamic with Brown, a perennial All-Star and one of Boston‘s primary catalysts. Even with a competitive rivalry fueling countless Lakers–Celtics matchups over the years, the four-time MVP made it clear that respect remains at the core of the relationship, with one notable exception.
“Our relationship has been pretty respectful, besides the s- he said about Bronny at Summer League,” James told reporters, referencing a moment from the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
“But other than that, we’ve been alright.”
A throwback to that viral Summer League clip
In July 2024, Brown was caught on camera courtside saying, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro,” as he watched Bronny James, LeBron‘s son and a Lakers guard, during a Summer League game.
The moment quickly spread across social media and NBA circles, creating a flashpoint between the two stars.
Brown later addressed the clip on social media, offering a softer take that appeared to clarify his stance.
“It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the NBA it reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful. I look forward to watching his growth,” Brown wrote on X.
James touched on that social media exchange Sunday, insisting there were “no hard feelings,” even as he acknowledged that the comment still lingers in his mind.
“I think he went on social media and said something about it, so it’s all good. Bronny‘s got a long way to go, but that’s another story,” James said.
Brown’s latest performance against the Lakers
While Brown‘s remarks drew significant attention, context matters: Bronny, the Lakers‘ 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has shown flashes in his early career, including productive stints with the Lakers‘ G League affiliate, but has yet to emerge as a consistent rotation player in the NBA.
Despite the splash made by that viral clip, James didn’t spend his entire postgame on Sunday focused on past tensions. In fact, he pivoted quickly and emphatically to Brown‘s on-court excellence this season.
Brown‘s performance against the Lakers emphasized just how far he’s come. The Boston forward finished with a game-high 32 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, spearheading a Celtics squad that currently sits near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
That output has come amid significant roster changes for Boston, including the absence of fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
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