Bronny James is facing the undeniable pressure of being the son of LeBron James. He is evaluated as a basketball player, however it’s much more. Being the lineage of the King comes with its price. It’s similar to a double-edged sword. On one end, the eldest son of James is craved for simply his last name. But it also comes with harsh criticism and each move being closely monitored.

The age of social media is what’s really affecting the 19-year-old. Recently, his name was left off the 2024 NBA mock draft, another product of the modern revolution. It left a distasteful sensation in LeBron James’ mouth, who asked for some space for Bronny. But how can that request possibly be obliged in the era of social media?

Think about it, Bronny James is the son of the biggest basketball player on the planet. He has the vehement weight on his shoulders to emulate his father, a feat unfairly pressed upon him. All of it is in some ways a product of social media. But it wasn’t always like this. Just ask the sons of Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan saw his sons face pressure, but it wasn’t nearly as much

You might know one of Jordan’s sons – Marcus who is currently in a relationship with Larsa Pippen, the ex-wife of his father’s former teammate Scottie Pippen. The younger son of MJ is the creator of ‘Trophy Room’ a store dedicated to the illuminating legacy his dad left behind. Jordan’s other son, Jeffrey leads the digital innovation cell at the Jordan brand.

But far before pursuing their passions, the duo gravitated towards the most natural occupation you can associate with the name Jordan – basketball. Both Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan tried a hand to go pro in basketball. While being the son of Michael Jordan might seem like a luxury, which at most times it is, in basketball it was unforgiving.

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There was always the pressure of having to match up the impact Michael Jordan left on the sport. They both received bare interest from colleges but were still viewed as ‘successors’ marred with expectations. They were unrealistic. Unfamiliar methods such as televised games and media attention was how the Jordan sons felt pressure.

Luckily for them, it wasn’t the age of social media. Apart from the broadcast, nothing stayed. Both Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan could roam their vision around basketball and explore their possibilities. It can also be attributed to Michael Jordan’s private and distant lifestyle. He never spoke about his kids’ basketball, but supported it wholeheartedly.

Even he knew it was a burden being his son. In his Hall of Fame speech, he admitted he wouldn’t want to be them because of the overwhelming attention and expectations put on their shoulders.

But at the core, he was a loving father. MJ could detach from being a stingy competitor and be empathetic. He let his sons jog free and divulge in what their hearts desired. He didn’t try to make basketball as their sole objective. That coupled with the limited attention due to the absence of social media allowed both to take a decision of finding life beyond the sport.

They knew they weren’t good enough, and there was no social media that compelled them to prove they were. Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan could think calculatively and make the right decisions. That luxury might not be available to Bronny.

Bronny will need to weather the storm of being the son of LeBron James

In the modern day, being the son of LeBron James means having an eye on you at all times. And it can be cruel. Before the season, Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest putting his entire basketball career on hold. Doubts loomed over his journey. However, the 19-year-old’s iron will helped him return for the season.

Despite that, he is measured on equal terms. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter are in constant dialogue about his eligibility to be an NBA player. Opinions are flying all around him. It can’t be easy being the center of an entire conversation that’s being aired on media and debated all over the world.

For a 19-year-old, it’s intimidating. Then there is LeBron James, who is an outstanding father but even his words have added fuel to the fire. His saying his eldest son is better than some NBA players isn’t seen as a father being proud but rather him declaring an open challenge. Since Bronny picked up a basketball, the world has pinned him to be the next LeBron James.

But that’s not about to happen.

Statistically, Bronny James isn’t viewed as an NBA player. He is averaging under 6 points in his first year with the Trojans and isn’t seen as a draft prospect. However, he is an outstanding player. He can defend, stays active, makes the right decisions, and has a jump shot better than his father.

Yet these skills can’t be celebrated in such an era of social media since everyone is after numbers. Bronny doesn’t have them and hence, is viewed as a failure to the throne. It’s an unfair fate for a mere 19-year-old, and it’s only because he is the son of one of the most acclaimed basketball players.

READ MORE-Despite Averaging 5 Points, Bronny’s Diminishing NBA Dream Receives Promising Verdict

Rather than help brighten his chances and display his skills, social media is turning out to be a curse for Bronny James. It’s due to his bloodline. Unfortunately, it’s a lane he can’t escape from no matter how much LeBron James tries to shield him.