For most young basketball players, making it to the NBA is the ultimate dream. But the reality is far from glamorous.
The league is a relentless, high-stakes environment where pressure can make or break careers-something Bronny James, son of NBA icon LeBron James, is learning firsthand.
Despite the name recognition and media buzz, Bronny’s path has been anything but easy. After a turbulent rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers that saw limited playing time and overwhelming scrutiny, he opened up about the mental toll it has taken on him.
“I was under a lot of pressure,” Bronny told Fox Sports. “It was getting to me a little bit.”
With just 6.7 minutes per game over 27 appearances under coach JJ Redick, Bronny’s impact on the court was minimal. But behind the scenes, the 19-year-old has been quietly grinding, using the gym as a sanctuary.
“Working is a distraction from everything,” he said. “I love coming into the gym, working, watching film-everything that can help me get better.”
Rich Paul stresses reality over reputation
Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and longtime agent to LeBron James, recently addressed Bronny’s situation in a candid interview.
While Paul represents Bronny, he made it clear that there’s no special treatment involved. In fact, he was one of the advocates for Bronny to continue his development with the South Bay Lakers in the G League rather than rushing into a full NBA schedule.
“A younger player who’s trying to fight for their life. You just can’t, you just never want those things to be the reason why a team don’t bring you back. Right? Because our league, there’s nothing guaranteed in our league, no matter what pick you was in the lottery or what round you win or anything like that. It’s just nothing guaranteed in our league,” said Paul on Haynes Briefs.
Paul emphasized the emotional weight that young players carry, often shouldering family hopes and public expectations. “These kids work their whole lives to get here. And if they don’t stay long, they don’t get enough time to prove themselves,” he added.
In the G League, Bronny has shown serious promise, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over 11 games. Shooting 44% from the field and 38% from three, his stats suggest a player steadily finding his rhythm and confidence.
The spotlight may never fully dim for Bronny James, but the pressure is a test he’s learning to navigate. With guidance from veterans like Rich Paul and the support of his family, Bronny is slowly crafting his own identity in a league that doesn’t hand out anything for free.
His rookie season may be behind him, but the work-and the journey-has only just begun.
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