A unique statistic showed up earlier this year. LeBron James had faced 37% of all players in NBA history. Well, that’s bound to happen when you play 23 seasons. According to (recent) popular belief, however, LeBron has yet to face his kryptonite…

Bill Simmons, a seasoned podcaster, tackled a fan-proposed theory based on a simple yet serious premise: whether LeBron will take it a notch down while facing his son. LeBron and Bronny spent the last two years breaking multiple league records as the first such father-and-son combo to share the court on the pro stage. But things have taken a slight turn with the 41-year-old buying a Philly ticket.

“No way he’s looking to embarrass his son, right?” Simmons contemplated on his podcast. “This is really good. I would have a lot of trouble embarrassing my son in front of a crowd of 20,000 people at a nationally televised game!”

So, what’s the bigger conundrum here? Simmons made this remark in response to a mailbag question about the possibility of an Eastern Conference team trading for Bronny specifically to guard LeBron in a playoff series. The assumption is that paternal instinct will outweigh competitiveness in such a scenario… or will it?

Joe House, Simmons’ co-host, took it up a notch by suggesting LeBron’s hometown franchise as a possible destination for Bronny! Simmons almost immediately caught on to the idea and created a whole scenario that’ll become LeBron’s toughest decision as a father.

“If you’re Cleveland, you trade like a minimum for Bronny, bring him back,” Simmons said. “Bronny is on the team, and now he’s just kind of lurking, almost like a kryptonite situation for LeBron. Put him on there. LeBron just naturally has to ease up. Your instinct is always to protect your kids at all times.”

Simmons didn’t stop with his master plan, also imagining what the Cavaliers would tell the youngster before subbing him on.

“They’d tell him, ‘Let your dad score once,’ and then seem really upset, like you’re going to break down, and then your dad won’t be able to concentrate on the game,” Simmons concluded.

LeBron already has history in Cleveland. He led them to their first-ever championship. The Athletic’s Joe Vardon once weighed whether LeBron would come back to Cleveland with Bronny and run it back, but instead, at 41, LeBron has gone all-in to win and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.

Meanwhile, the Lakers, who selected Bronny with the 55th pick in 2024, took a call to guarantee the rest of Bronny’s $2.3 million contract just before LeBron left the building. It is up to head coach JJ Redick to decide if Bronny makes the cut, as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves get to know their new teammates.

The Lakers and 76ers first face each other on Christmas Day next season. There is no reason why LeBron won’t play, unless he is injured. Bronny, however, faces a minutes risk, especially with Jaden Hardy fighting for a similar role. Let’s say Redick plays the youngster a few minutes (he averaged 8.9 minutes last season); there is a major chance the father and son are on the court simultaneously.

And that’s when LeBron needs to really ponder whether it is worth slam-dunking and/or hard-blocking his son. Crucially, it’ll be quite a difficult day, not just for LeBron, but also for Savannah because she needs to decide who to support.

Before any of that happens, the Lakers and 76ers fanbases are also humoring the scenario that Simmons brought up, and for now, it isn’t looking good for Bronny!

Why is LeBron being predicted to “annihilate” Bronny?

The theory spread like wildfire through social media, where fans discussed how LeBron’s competitive spirit will overshadow the urge to protect his son.

“LeBron would dunk on him without question and start laughing if he got pissed,” predicted a fan.

Another fan wrote, “LeBron would not take it easy on him.”

Now, this is consistent with the rule LeBron put in place during the first year of Bronny’s pro basketball career. The NBA legend prohibited his son from addressing him as “Dad.” Bronny was expected to call him “23” or “Bron.”

“I’m sure this is a lighthearted convo. Also, LeBron has ZERO issues competing with whoever is in front of him. ZERO,” read another reaction.

It aligns with how LeBron plays his close friends when the game tips off. He has played the same way throughout the years against Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul despite their relationship outside basketball. LeBron has admitted that they are brothers off the court but absolute enemies on it.

It all comes down to the advice that LeBron once received from hoops legend Tracy McGrady during his early days at St. Vincent-St. Mary. James was strictly told that he had “no friends” on the court, and he has lived by those words.

“LBJ would annihilate him. Full scale I’ll get another type ish,” another fan commented.

Now, this is a different scenario, but the point is LeBron keeps his receipts… His violent poster dunk on Jason Terry from 2013 is the perfect example. Two years prior, Terry was at the Mavericks and constantly jawed at LeBron during the NBA Finals. Game 5 was a dagger to James’ heart when Terry sank a clutch 30-foot shot over his head to win the game. Dallas went on to pull off one of the greatest underdog stories and beat the Heat in 6…

James, however, didn’t forget that. Terry joined the Celtics by 2013, and LeBron was waiting to play him. During a Heat fast break in the game, guard Norris Cole tossed a high lob. Terry tried to step up and contest the speeding, 6-foot-8, 260-pound LeBron in the lane, resulting in one of the most violent poster dunks.

“The fact that it happened to J.T. made it that much sweeter because we all know J.T. and he talks too much sometimes,” James said while reflecting on the moment. “I’m glad it happened to him.”

We’re not saying that James will slam dunk on his son for sure, but history hints that he is very capable of doing so. On the contrary, we’ve seen numerous LA moments when LeBron took a few seconds to advise his son on the court when the youngster was confused during a play. This could go either way.

“He’s 40-something and can still drop 40. Bronny doesn’t stand a chance,” read one more fan reaction.

LeBron scored 42 points at 40 years old in February 2025, which made him the oldest basketball player ever to achieve this feat. He also holds the distinction of hitting 40 points at the youngest age of 19. So, scoring in bulk isn’t the problem here… it is whether he will take the extra leap over his son.

All in all, fans feel James’ competitive streak would prevail over his fatherhood, especially given how James has never backed down from anyone close to him.