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Bronny James’ Mental Strength Unveiled by USC HC, Amid Close Friend’s Revelation on LeBron’s ‘Weight’

Published 03/07/2024, 9:03 AM EST

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The entire basketball fraternity is patiently watching the development of one young man – Bronny James. With a weight similar to what his father LeBron James had to carry, the 19-year-old is currently a USC Trojans freshman. After having suffered a cardiac arrest earlier in the season, the eldest son in the James clan heroically came back, and with that came the flood of expectations.

Being the son of one of the most acclaimed basketball players of all time comes with a price. It is accompanied by careful monitoring and constant supervision from the media. Everyone expects Bronny James to be somewhat or completely similar to LeBron James. That’s the gargantuan standard set on a young lad who is yet to make his NBA debut.

Does that affect Bronny? If you ask his head coach, Andy Enfield, absolutely not.

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Bronny James knows how to silence the noise

It’s not a walk in the park to carry the weight of the NBA world on one’s shoulder. Bronny James has had to do that since he picked up the basketball. The narrative is simple – he NEEDS to be as good or better than LeBron James. While doing so many disregard just how different the two are, both physically and in terms of their basketball gameplay.

King James is 6’9″ weighing 250 pounds. Those are freakish metrics. His game is mainly penetrating at will and always wielding an edge due to his incredible game IQ. Bronny James, on the other hand, is much shorter and a perimeter-concentrated player. At 6’4″, 210 pounds, he has a swift shot and can play hard defense all game long. That’s one of the reasons true basketball aficionados are excited to see him nurture his skills since they are relevant to the modern game.

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But for Bronny James, the battle is still painted against his very own father. His former high school teammate and now Grizzlies guard Ziaire Williams still can’t fathom how the USC commit is able to block out the noise, but Bronny does.

According to The Ringer, Williams said, “Bronny has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I don’t know what I would do if I was in his position, with all the attention and just the notoriety. He’s not even worried about it—or doesn’t even see it, to be honest. He just—he blinds it so well.”

You would think the pressure is immense. Having to live up to the legacy of the NBA’s all-time scorer and other numerous accolades has to be taxing, at times daunting even. However, Bronny James holds this incredible ability to own his identity. As Enfield said when he goes onto the floor, he is simply Bronny James.

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USA Today via Reuters

“He has no ego. Sure, he wants to do well for himself, but he’s all about the team,” said the USC head coach. “He’s the son of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. But when he steps on the court, he’s Bronny—and he’s just one of the guys,”.

Bronny James was recently debarred from the 2024 ESPN mock draft. Everyone seems to be counting him out due to his unflattering freshman year. However, it’s been a rocky road for the teenager. He has had to battle a cardiac arrest, yet Bronny James had the mental toughness and resolution to be back on the floor in the same season.

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Even if he doesn’t declare for the draft, the eldest son of LeBron James has a lot to look forward to. He can play all his years in college and better prepare for the NBA challenge. After all, it’s his journey. Bronny James doesn’t need to take the path that ends with him being beside his father. It’s vital to prioritize his goals, and that’s what he is doing. Don’t think Bronny James can’t make it, because he has the conviction and will to fight against the universal narrative. He won’t go down easy that’s for sure.

READ MORE-After LeBron James’ Plea for His “Kid”, Bronny James Gets Acknowledged Despite Poor Start to College Career

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Written by:

Anuj Talwalkar

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Anuj Talwalkar is a Senior NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, who is marching towards touching 3000 articles. As a writer who specializes in game analysis, post-game pressers, thrilling perspective on players and their performances, he loves merging his passion for writing with the complex human-dramas that unfold everyone on-court. At ES, he is known for his quick coverage of breaking news, an expertise that is now inspiring the junior writers.
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Edited by:

Ankit Singh