Bronny James goes viral over crazy numbers at Draft Combine
Bronny James turned heads at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine.
By
Christopher Smith
USC basketball guard Bronny James is undergoing an exciting process at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. James participated in a series of drills on Monday designed to gauge his physical ability for the professional level. The star guard’s performance impressed fans after videos of his reps surfaced online.
First, James participated in the pro lane agility drill with swift and decisive movement, as shown by Jonathan Givony:
Jonathan Givony
@DraftExpress ·Follow
Bronny James pro lane agility drill at the NBA draft combine.
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One fan captured James’ performance in the drill with an on-target commentary.
“Those feet are sliding & shuffling crazy quick, the way he’s going to be able to read offenses in his few first years is next level. Wouldn’t be surprised If he finished top-10 in deflections as a rookie,” the X user said.
Several others predicted that James’ lateral quickness could allow him to be a top defender at the next level. Lane agility was not the only drill James excelled in on Monday.
James amassed a 40-and-a-half-inch max vertical leap, further showing his athletic abilities:
Jonathan Givony
@DraftExpress ·Follow
40 1/2 inch max vertical leap for Bronny James at the NBA draft combine
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James’ leaping ability reminded fans of various stars with similar explosive abilities, such as Tyrese Maxey, Kyrie Irving, Malik Monk, and Scoot Henderson. Hopefully, James’ overall performance at the NBA Draft Combine goes well.
The 2024 NBA Draft is viewed as weaker than prior years. Yet, there are plenty of prospects who can help take franchises to the next level. Bronny James could become one of those players. Of course, everyone is wondering one thing: will he play with his father?
Is it no secret that Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James wants to play with his son Bronny before his career is over. Will the Lakers take James to create an iconic NBA duo?
While Bronny James would love to play with his father, his priority is making it league first.
Bronny James is taking a chance after an eventful first year with USC
James is leaving his options open going into the Fall of 2024. He entered the college basketball transfer portal and the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility. If he is not selected in June, he could likely play for another college team. His freshman year with the Trojans was respectable given everything he went through.
James’ life took a turn in July of 2023 when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a USC basketball practice. Such an event is truly frightening and would make anyone question their lifestyle afterward, even a relatively healthy athlete like James.
Nevertheless, James fully recovered and returned to playing basketball within months. His performance was understandably not at the same level as before his health scare.
James went from averaging 13.8 points and 1.8 steals as a high school senior to 4.9 points and 0.8 steals during his freshman season. Of course, there are many factors affecting his performance. Namely, he played fewer minutes and came off the bench for the Trojans.
Regardless of the reason for his decreased performance, James has brilliantly set himself up to come back stronger for the 2024-25 season and beyond. Whether he plays in the NBA or returns to the college level, there is no doubt that Bronny James’ future is bright.
Christopher Smith is a sports journalist who primarily covers the NBA, NCAA Basketball, NFL, and NCAA Football for ClutchPoints. The Aurora, Illinois native received his education from Creighton University, and he has bylines at Last Word on Sports and FanSided.
Bronny James’ official NBA Combine measurements after medical clearance
Here’s a quick look at Bronny James’ measurements at the NBA Combine.
By
Benedetto Vitale
We’re in the middle of the NBA Combine with the Draft right around the corner. Prospects from around the world are showing off their skills but before that, the league is taking down each player’s measurements. With that said, we finally have Bronny James’ official measurements after he was medically cleared to enter the draft.
It’s not clear when Bronny James will be selected but many believe his father, LeBron James, wants to play at least one season with his son. So, Bronny is likely to receive some interest from teams across the league. But before the draft, James is participating in the NBA Combine and we finally know his official measurements, according to Alex Weber of On3.
Height (without shoes): 6’1.50″
Standing reach: 8’2.50″
Wingspan: 6’7.25″
Hand length: 8.50 inches
Hand width: 9.50 inches
Bronny James seemingly lacks height. However, his standing reach and wingspan make up for it. Even his hand size is considered large for someone just over six feet tall. When it comes down to it, James has the potential of being a true threat defensively thanks to his long arms. But he’ll need to develop his game if he hopes to get some playing time in the NBA.
James didn’t play a whole lot for the USC Trojans. After coming back from a cardiac arrest, Bronny James played 25 games for the Trojans. He came off the bench averaging 19.3 minutes, 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. James is considered a raw prospect.
Who will select Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports
Bronny James’ future in the league is unclear. You’d think staying in college for at least one more year would benefit him. However, there’s a belief LeBron James wants to play for the team that takes his son in the NBA Draft. If that’s the case, a front office may decide to select Bronny just to have LeBron play for them.
Draft experts seem to think Bronny James is a second round talent. Which makes sense considering his lack of production at USC. Even so, James has the potential of becoming a solid guard in the NBA. But he has to put in the time to continue developing his game. If not, then it’ll be difficult for James to see much action at the professional level.
There are several teams that could use a point guard but who is going to select Bronny James? As of now, the Los Angeles Lakers are deemed a real option considering they’d like to keep LeBron on the roster. There’s a possibility the front office opts to select Bronny as a way to entice LeBron to return. But only time will tell if they follow through with that conspiracy.
The NBA Draft kicks off on Thursday, June 27. The Atlanta Hawks own the No. 1 pick overall after winning the Lottery. We’ll see how it plays out but the rumor mill is going to remain hot throughout the summer. Especially with LeBron James’ son potentially being selected.
Frontrunners for Lakers Coaching Job Emerge, Per NBA Insider
Two frontrunners for the Lakers head coaching role have emerged, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski as LA’s search ramps up this week.
The longtime insider spoke at length about two names that have been earmarked as the team searches for Darvin Ham’s replacement.
“A couple of names to watch in this search. James Borrego, the top assistant in New Orleans, they went from the [ranked] 21, 22 offense in the league last year to a top 10 offense,” Woj said. “…Borrego had a good run his head coach in Charlotte went from 23 to 33 to 43 wins. He was obviously with Gregg Popovich for a long time in San Antonio. He’ll be a candidate in this process.
“Another candidate is someone who hasn’t coached, and that’s our colleague here at ESPN, J.J Redick. He is certainly somebody that the Lakers are drilling down on, they’re making calls and trying to get a sense of what a head coach, head coach J.J. Redick would look like.”
Wojnarowski said current ESPN analyst JJ Redick is being studied by the team very closely.
“…one name that the Lakers have been drilling down on in their initial research here: JJ Redick, our colleague at ESPN. He is certainly somebody that the Lakers are intrigued with. They’ve been making a lot of calls to try to learn more about him. But expect this to be a wide ranging and lengthy search.”
Of course, there are plenty of other names being mentioned.
Other top NBA assistant coaches are being considered, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha recently reported.
Related Article:Shaq Explains Why All His Teammates’ Wives Hated Him
These include Micah Nori (Minnesota), David Adelman (Denver), Sean Sweeney (Dallas), and Chris Quinn (Miami).
Former Warriors assistant and Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson is the current betting favorite to take out the Lakers top job.
No head coach at LA has lasted longer than three seasons since Phil Jackson was head coach from 1999-2011.
READ MORE: JJ Redick Teases LeBron James for Complaining About Refs’ Treatment of Lakers
Jayson Tatum Addresses His Critics After Bounce Back Game
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Jayson Tatum has copped his fair share of criticism this postseason and after an impressive Game 3 performance, he addressed his critics.
Tatum led from the front in Boston’s 106-93 win after recording a team high 33 points – his highest scoring game in the playoffs so far.
The Celtics forward also filled the rest of the stat sheet with a well-rounded performance that included a team-high 13 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block.
The message he had for his critics included the point that there is more to an NBA game than just high scores.
“When they are fair, and they take emotion out of it – whatever way they are leaning towards and they are fair, I respect it,” Tatum said of his critics. “I understand what the media has brought to our game: more eyes, more attention, and how everybody has benefitted from that, so I wouldn’t say I’d take [criticism] as disrespect.
“I don’t always agree with what [the critics] say. Maybe I feel like they’re not watching everything else that I’m doing, but that’s not my job to focus on that or give it any attention,” Tatum added. “My job is to be the best player I can be for our team on any given night.”
The 26-year-old has averaged just 21.7 points in the first seven games, but doesn’t seem concerned about it.
“I would love to make every shot I take, and I know I can shoot better and I will, but at this time in the season, as long as we win and are trending in the right direction, I know me scoring will come,” Tatum said. “I’ve done that plenty, plenty of times. I just try to impact the game in other ways and just dominate — dominate the game and not just be defined as just a scorer.”
READ MORE: JJ Redick Teases LeBron James for Complaining About Refs’ Treatment of Lakers
Anthony Edwards Responds to Rough Loss Against Nuggets
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Anthony Edwards has taken the blame for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 117-90 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 on Friday.
It was a disappointing result for the Timberwolves, who had previously taken a commanding 2-0 lead over the reigning champions with two straight road wins to start the series.
“It’s on me,” Edwards said. “I’ll take the blame for this loss. I came out with no energy at all. I can’t afford to do that for my team. I let my team down, the fans down.”
Edwards was quiet by his standards in Game 3, finishing with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. And while his statline looked passable on paper, he also finished the game with a plus/minus of -32.
Edwards and the Timberwolves were just no match for the Nuggets on this particular night.
Nikola Jokic was exceptional with 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, while Jamal Murray bounced back from a rough Game 2 with 24 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Denver was certainly not lacking motivation heading into the game, with coach Mike Malone showing his team a mashup of national TV analysts who declaring the series to be over.
“You’re always testing and finding out about human nature and what guys are made of,” said Nuggets coach Mike Malone, who . “If that doesn’t resonate with you as a competitor, I don’t know what will.”
Game 4 will tip off in Minneapolis on Sunday.
READ MORE: ‘I Want It to Stop’: Anthony Edwards Speaks Out on Michael Jordan Comparisons
JJ Redick Teases LeBron James for Complaining About Refs’ Treatment of Lakers
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JJ Redick isn’t afraid to hold LeBron James accountable. That much was clear on the latest episode of ‘Mind The Game’ when James started placing some blame on the officials while speaking about the Lakers’ first-round series against Nuggets.
James said that in the playoffs, players are usually allowed to be more physical than in the regular season. He added that this wasn’t the case during the Lakers’ series against the Nuggets.
Redick then quickly interjected, “Says the guy whose team had the greatest free throw disparity in NBA history the last two seasons.”
Both of them laughed before continuing their conversation.
Clearly, James and Redick have a close enough relationship that they can tease each other like this. James would not have started a podcast with Redick in the first place if he didn’t like and respect him.
In fact, there’s so much respect between the two of them that this has led to speculation that Redick could become the next coach of the Lakers.
This stems from the belief that James has a lot of sway in the decision-making at the Lakers, as well as reports that Redick had attracted interest from another team in their head coaching hunt, namely the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets have since hired Celtics assistant Charles Lee, but the Redick report thrust his name into the conversation around head coach candidates heading into next season.
It remains to be seen if Redick will enter the coaching ranks, and how this would affect his podcast with James.
READ MORE: LeBron James’ New Show With JJ Redick Is Unlike Any Other Player Podcast
Shaq Goes Nuclear On Shannon Sharpe in Savage Rant
POSTED ON BY JORDAN SAVILLE
Shaq has responded to Shannon Sharpe’s recent criticism of him in the form of a very long, heated Instagram post.
This follows Sharpe criticising Shaq for telling Nikola Jokic on air that he didn’t deserve to win MVP. The former Denver Broncos legend suggested O’Neal was jealous of Jokic.
Here’s Shaq’s response in its entirety:
you took me sticking up @shai ask jealousy of joker. shows how smart you are and how you say anything to get clicks. so here’s some click bait for you. if you ain’t ranked in the top ten in your profession , then you can’t speak on Me. don’t forget i know what you did to get were you at. me jealous, sounds like you jealous. i kno you tryna stay relevant by gossiping on your podcast. we don’t believe you. you need more people and in case you forgot. 4 rings three finals Mvp top 50 and top 75. google me. and to b quite frank all this new success you got, you still under me. u don’t kno my work ethic. but according i work less than you but im worth more than you. make it make sense. love you to. if you need help making money it’s better ways than gossiping. i’m to old for this shit love always the most dominant big man ever who never took it serious. remember i don’t know you. and in the words of @skipbayless im better than you. #g14classification i have it, you don’t, not in my profession. and your goat debate , never wanted to be the goat i wanted to be who you should greet me as THE MOST DOMINANT EVER. #theapexpredator
A racist poster comparing Lebron James to a monkey was somehow allowed to be shown at a New York school art show over the weekend, it has been reported.
New Hartford Central School District held its annual K-12 art show for students on Saturday.
But one submission crossed the line, as an advertisement for a fake cereal brand named ‘Monkey Premium’ featured a photo of James front and center.
The poster read, ‘Eat Monkeys, Jump Like Monkeys!’ alongside a photo of James going up for a dunk.
The piece of ‘art’ also told people that they would ‘jump 2-5 inches higher for about 2 hours after eating.’
‘It is disheartening that racist work was not only created, but then overlooked and allowed to be displayed,’ New Hartford superintendent Cosimo Tangorra Jr. said in a statement according to the Daily Sentinel, after the news was first reported by WIBX.
In a May 6 email to the community, Tangorra reportedly announced that an investigation had been opened into the incident.
According to the Daily Sentinel, Tangorra said the student had been contacted but couldn’t be identified publicly due to privacy reasons.
‘We understand that there are students, families, staff and community members who may not feel safe, accepted or welcome as a result of what transpired. Our school community deserves access to a supportive learning environment where everyone feels respected, included and safe,’ Tangorra said.
‘We have fallen short of that goal, and we must do better. As a district, we will continue working to ensure all students and their families feel valued, and it requires increased education, dialogue, and action from the entire school community.’
USC freshman Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was one of 78 players who were invited to participate in the NBA Draft Combine. This year’s combine takes place from May 12-19 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
Bronny James announced last month that he was entering the NBA Draft and the transfer portal. With the Lakers season coming to a close after a loss to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs, the elder James provided an update on the pending decision his oldest son will have to make next month.
“I just want to get home to the family honestly,” James said. “… One of my boys is deciding if he’s going to enter the draft or go back to school. I got another kid [Bryce James] that’s playing AAU ball right now and my daughter [Zhuri James] is playing volleyball — and my wife [Savanah James] is doing so many great things, so it’s about family right now.”
The NBA announced today that 78 players have been invited to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, which will take place from May 12-19 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the 2024 NBA G League Elite Camp, which…
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 3s, 2024
James will have until May 29 — the withdrawal deadline set by the NCAA — to decide to remain in the draft or return for his sophomore season. The NBA has a later withdrawal deadline (June 16) but the NCAA has its own set of rules that states the deadline is 10 days after the NBA Combine ends. The 2024 NBA Draft is June 26-27.
The Athletic reported on Monday that the Lakers are “open to the prospect” of drafting Bronny. The Lakers will have the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which could be conveyed to the Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade in 2019. Los Angeles holds its own second-round pick in this summer’s draft.
The former four-star recruit played in 25 games for the Trojans after making his college debut on Dec. 10 against Long Beach State less than five months after going into cardiac arrest during a summer workout at USC. James made six starts during the 2023-24 season and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
“I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added to growth for me as a man, student and athlete,” James wrote on Instagram. “I’ve made the decision to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility, and will also be entering the NCAA transfer portal. Thank you to USC for an amazing freshman year, and as always thankful for my family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers and fans for their support.”
James missed USC’s overseas trip to Greece and Croatia for a three-game summer tour and was absent from the start of fall workouts because of the cardiac arrest incident. After his minute restriction was lifted in January, James showcased his potential as both a playmaker and defender in an expanded role.
James’ future came into question last month when rumors surfaced that the 19-year-old would enter the transfer portal and explore his college options.
“I don’t know where it came from,” LeBron James said after the Lakers beat the Raptors 128-111 in Toronto. “But at the end of the day, Bronny is his own man. He has some tough decisions to make. When he’s ready to make those decisions, he’ll let us all know. But as his family, we’re going to support whatever he does.”
Bronny James’ NBA Draft projection
James’ draft stock is considered a mystery. His overall stats weren’t great this season, but that won’t prevent a respective team from drafting him. The 2024 NBA Draft class is a mystery because it’s one of the weaker draft classes at the top in nearly a decade. That could ultimately benefit James and convince him to declare for the draft if a team wants to take a swing on a prospect with upside.
James has the tools to be a successful player at the next level. He’s a high-motor defender with a playmaking upside. James also has an incredible basketball IQ like his father. Something that James will have to improve on at the next level is his 3-point shooting. James connected on only 26.7% from distance on 2.4 attempts per night.
In the 2024 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings from CBS Sports, James isn’t currently ranked, and he wasn’t in any first-round mocks. James likely will drop to the second round, but he should get an opportunity at the next level no matter what — which could be on a regular contract or a two-way deal.
Entering the NBA Draft while maintaining college eligibility is common among college prospects who aren’t entirely sure about where they project in the draft process. In this case, Bronny projects as a potential second-round pick, so keeping his options open by entering the transfer portal will allow him to go through the draft process, work out for NBA teams, and get feedback before making a final decision.
James will need approval from NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel before he can become eligible to participate in team workouts, the draft combine in May or be selected in the draft due to the cardiac arrest, according to ESPN.
LeBron has a player option for the 2024-25 NBA season that he could hypothetically decline, which can create an easier path for the two to pair up next season. The Lakers own their second-round pick for the 2024 NBA Draft. The New Orleans Pelicans own the Lakers first-round pick and have the right to receive their 2025 first-round pick instead.
Portal possibilities
Days after his father shot down the rumors of him entering the transfer portal, USC poached Arkansas coach Eric Musselman to replace Andy Enfield, who left town to take the vacant job at SMU. Despite Musselman having ties to the James family, he still elected to enter the upcoming draft and the transfer portal.
The younger James played with Arkansas signee Isaiah Elohim at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California. Musselman recruited Elohim to Arkansas before he left for the vacant job with the Trojans. However, James decided to enter the portal – the first step for a player who intends to transfer.
Early logical options to land James out of the transfer portal Ohio State, Duquesne, Oregon, UCLA, and SMU. Coming out of high school, James committed to USC over Oregon and Ohio State. Duquesne recently named Dru Joyce III — LeBron’s former high school teammate from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School — its next coach of the program.
Impact on USC
USC has already lost star wing Kobe Johnson via the transfer portal this offseason to crosstown rival UCLA. Collier entered the NBA Draft, and four-star guard Trent Perry recently de-committed from the school after the coaching change.
Musselman is an excellent high school and transfer portal recruiter. While he was at Arkansas, he helped land the No. 2 overall recruiting class behind Duke in the 2022 cycle. Musselman is known to use the transfer portal to attract talent, which will likely be the case as the Trojans transition to the Big Ten.
Most top high school talent in the 2024 recruiting class already signed their National Letter of Intent to their respective schools. Musselman’s best option to replace James, Collier, and Boogie Ellis in the backcourt is to convince Perry to stay.
Bronny James appears ready to join his father in the NBA.
Bronny, the eldest son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, is planning to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft after being medically cleared to play in the league, The Athletic reported Monday.
The 19-year-old received clearance from the NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel following his cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect last year, and is allowed to participate in the pre-draft combine this week, per ESPN.
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Bronny James played for USC this past season.AP
The USC guard is scheduled to participate in five-on-five scrimmages starting Tuesday, according to NBADraft.net
Bronny’s future has been a major storyline entering this year’s draft since his future could be tied to his father’s.
James, 39, has said he hopes to play in the NBA with his son, and Bronny entering this year’s draft would potentially pave the way for that opportunity.
The team that drafts Bronny could, in theory, have the upper hand in landing James this summer. The four-time NBA MVP holds a $51.4 million team option with the Lakers for the upcoming season.
Los Angeles could draft Bronny in hopes it convinces James to stay around.
Bronny is projected as a second-round pick and mulltiple mock drafts have the Lakers using the 55th pick — a second-round selection — to draft the freshman, including The Ringer.
However, James’ agent, Rich Paul, recently downplayed how Bronny will affect his father’s plans.
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Bronny and LeBron in 2023.Getty Images
“The idea of them playing together is not a priority. It’s not foremost, at least any longer, in LeBron James’ mind,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said.
“Rich Paul’s goal here in the pre-draft process for Bronny James is to see if there’s the right developmental organization, a place that can take a young player like Bronny James … If he does go in the draft, he very likely would spend next year in the G League.
“That’s the priority for them as a family. What’s best for Bronny James? If it ends up them together, that would be great, but I don’t get a sense it’s playing much of any role in LeBron James’ decision on next season.”
If that’s the case, Bronny’s case is lacking for a freshman prospect.
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Bronny averaged 4.8 points this past season.Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
Bronny averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.6 percent — 26.7 percent from 3 — for a bad USC team that did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
While acknowledging that Bronny even playing this season was a triumph in its own right, those statistics would not generate draft buzz for almost any other freshman.
Bronny declared for the draft in April while maintaining his collegiate eligibility.
Should Bronny decide before the May 29th deadline to return to college, he will transfer from USC, which lost the coach that recruited him in Andy Enfield.
It’s been six seasons since LeBron James last suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cavs fans haven’t forgotten.
With his Los Angeles Lakers eliminated from the playoffs, James showed up courtside in Cleveland alongside his wife Savannah and agent Rich Paul for Monday’s Game 4 between the Cavaliers and Celtics. Boston won, 109-102.
During an early break in the action, the Cavaliers greeted James with a tribute on the video board. The Cavs’ public address announcer then introduced him as if he’d never left. Fans responded with a rousing ovation as if he was still a member of the team.
LeBron receives a standing ovation from Cavs fans 🙌
King returns to Cleveland 👑
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport)
Fans throughout the arena stood up to celebrate the hometown hero who played two stints with the Cavaliers and delivered the franchise its first and only championship in 2016.
#Cavs fans go crazy for LeBron James, who is in the house for Game 4. pic.twitter.com/C38LbULn1Q
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) May 13, 2024
James soaked it all in and responded to the love by blowing kisses back to the crowd.
Where will James land this offseason?
So is there potential for a third stint for James in Cleveland? Monday’s love fest at Game 4 will fuel speculation as James approaches the offseason with an option to opt out of his Lakers contract. James maintains a home near his hometown in Akron and hadn’t attended a Cavaliers game since leaving the team for a second time in 2018.
LeBron James’ offseason of intrigue continued Monday with a visit to Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Where James lands — whether it’s remaining with the Lakers or moving elsewhere — is one of the most anticipated decisions of the upcoming offseason. Cleveland fans would certainly welcome him back with open arms. As evidenced by their appearance in the second round of the playoffs, the Cavaliers have a competitive roster that James could elevate.
Adding to the offseason intrigue is the status of James’ son Bronny James, who’s at the NBA draft combine in Chicago and was medically cleared Monday to play in the NBA after experiencing cardiac arrest at USC last summer.
12 in a row for Bronny James during the 3-point star drill. 19/25 officially. 2nd highest score in the combine behind Alex Karaban.
— Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek)
Bronny’s expected to remain in the draft, and would be targeted by teams hoping to lure James this offseason. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was watching him in Chicago Monday afternoon.
James, meanwhile, has remained mum about his plans other than statements shooting down media speculation and announcing that he hasn’t made a decision.
well as my representation about it then you guys will know. Until then 🤫. Love 👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames)
Until he makes that decision, fans across the league — including those in Los Angeles and Cleveland — will be left to wait and hope.
LOS ANGELES – The debate about whether Michael Jordan or LeBron James is the greatest player in NBA history remains ongoing. The Chicago Bulls drafted Jordan the mid-1980s, and he went on to dominate in the ’90s, winning all six of his NBA titles.
James was the top overall pick in 2003. Thse NBA in the 1990s was certainly a different era, both on and off the basketball court. James’ longtime friend and sports agent Rich Paul offered his thoughts on how the current basketball era has presented a tougher set of circumstances for the Lakers superstar.
Paul argued that today’s new cycle was something Jordan did not have to contend with during his playing days.
“Mike transcended the game. When Kobe came, Kobe was a silhouette of Mike. That’s everything, which is great. But LeBron is the first player to have to deal with a 24/7/365 news cycle of sports and opinions from those that’s not even capable or carry the expertise to give a valid opinion,” Paul said during an appearance on “Gils Arena Show.”
Paul added that Jordan faced considerably less criticism during his career, saying the Bulls all-time great only had to deal with a critique from sports columnist Peter Vecsey.
“In addition to, ‘I’m not really gonna do it how y’all want me to do. I’m probably going to decide how I wanna do it.’ We all know that don’t go over well, right? And so then, you have this environment in this sports society that’s created and so now you have to root against. That’s a whole other thing Mike never had to deal with because his hardest critic was probably, Peter Vecsey.
“I just think LeBron’s antlers is in platinum, and Michael Jordan’s may be in gold. Why? Because he had to be compared to Mike. Who did Mike have to be compared to?”
Jordan did have to deal with detractors during and after his playing career, but the advent of social media certainly ramped up the level of criticism athletes face.
Rich Paul and LeBron James.
As far as comparisons go, it can be argued that Jordan was compared to Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain and 11-time champion Bill Russell — all of whom entered the NBA prior to him. Shortly after Jordan and the Chicago Bulls began losing to the “Bad Boy” Pistons in the postseason, the idea that Jordan could not “win the big one” became a talking point.
Jordan was also criticized for what was widely viewed as a failed attempt to play professional baseball. Jordan was coming off three straight championships with the Bulls and was still in his prime, but in October 1993 he decided to switch sports.
What followed was a mostly forgettable stint with the Chicago White Sox’s Double-A affiliate — the Birmingham Barons.
It can be argued that James is the first NBA superstar that has had to deal with pros and cons that come with the social media era. While a sports column from Vecsey or others may not have received a boost from social media, it certainly had the power to shift the conversation during Jordan’s playing days.
Comparing eras in sports can be tricky. It is likely that Jordan or James would have thrived on the basketball court in any era.
LeBron James refuted reports putting a timeline on his return from a right ankle injury ahead of the end of the regular season; the LA Lakers star took to Twitter to deny claims that there was a timeline on his recovery
Image:Reports have claimed James is nearing a return to action having been out for nearly a month
LeBron James has slammed reports that a target date has been set for a return to action following the ankle injury he sustained in February.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has not played since picking up the injury against Dallas, with various reports suggesting he could be in line to return before the end of the regular season.
However James hit back at those claims on Twitter on Thursday, saying: “There wasn’t an evaluation today and there hasn’t been any target date for my return. I’m just working around the clock, every day (3X a day) to give myself to best chance of coming back full strength whenever that is. God bless y’all sources. I speak for myself!”
Just weeks after Bronny James committed to USC, it appears LeBron James’ youngest son is also on the move.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Myron Medcalf reported that Bryce James will leave Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif. for Campbell Hall in Studio City, Calif.
The news was first reported by the Los Angeles Daily News back on April 28 after Campbell Hall hired former UCLA assistant coach and Vanderbilt associate head coach, David Grace, to take over its basketball program.
Now, Bryce is set to join NBA champion Richard Hamilton’s son, Richard Hamilton II, at Campbell Hall for his junior high school season.
Why is Bryce James leaving Sierra Canyon for Campbell Hall?
While there was no concrete reasoning in Medcalf’s report, one could assume Bryce’s lack of playing time as a sophomore at Sierra Canyon played a role in this decision.
LeBron’s youngest son spent most of his sophomore year playing Junior Varsity during an up-and-down season for the Trailblazers. I attended one of their biggest games of the season at Harvard-Westlake in January and despite missing two key players in Bronny and Isaiah Elohim (No. 19-ranked prospect in 2024) due to injury, Bryce still did not play in the Varsity game.
MORE: Bronny James scouting report: Strengths, weaknesses
He will now take his talents to Campbell Hall in Studio City, Calif., which is about 19 miles from Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, Calif.
Campbell Hall has produced NBA talents such as the Holiday brothers, Jrue, Justin and Aaron.
It just hired a new head coach, David Grace, who has a history of coaching high-profile players. During his time as an associate head coach at Vanderbilt, he coached former Sierra Canyon stars and NBA players Kenyon Martin Jr. and Scotty Pippen Jr.
When he was an assistant coach at UCLA, he coached NBA talents such as Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Kevon Looney and Norman Powell.
“I want Bryce, if I get to coach him, to be Bryce,” Grace told Medcalf. “Because that’s special, and I want him to get the most out of his experience here at Campbell Hall and grow.
“He’s going to have way more than just me helping, but I’m going to try to do my part. I understand where he’s coming from to a point. I’m not him. My family wasn’t in that spotlight, but I’ve been around the spotlight and I can share my experiences, or I can just understand his experiences. That’s where I’ll grow as a coach.”
How tall is Bryce James?
Bryce is listed at 6-6 as a 15-year-old. He is taller than his older brother, Bronny, who is listed at 6-3.
LeBron topped out at 6-8, but he was already 6-7 as a senior in high school.
When is Bryce James NBA Draft eligible?
Bryce will be a junior in high school during the 2023-24 season. That means he will first be eligible to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Is Bryce James better than Bronny James?
Bryce is much more of a raw talent than Bronny was at this stage in their high school careers. Although Bryce is taller than Bronny, Bronny’s skills were much more refined.
According to On3’s recruiting database, Bryce is currently ranked as a four-star prospect and the 73rd-best player in the Class of 2025.
However, Bryce has clearly been working on his game, as evidenced by his recent showings during his sophomore AAU season so far this spring.
As a forward with Division-I size and his father’s guidance for both strength and skill training, don’t be surprised to see Bryce’s ranking climb the same way Bronny’s did throughout his high school career.
USC basketball guard Bronny James is undergoing an exciting process at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. James participated in a series of drills on Monday designed to gauge his physical ability for the professional level. The star guard’s performance impressed fans after videos of his reps surfaced online.
We’re in the middle of the NBA Combine with the Draft right around the corner. Prospects from around the world are showing off their skills but before that, the league is taking down each player’s measurements. With that said, we finally have Bronny James’ official measurements after he was medically cleared to enter the draft.
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