LeBron James is a name synonymous with excellence. After almost two decades of dominance, there is not an acclamation left that King James hasn't attained. After winning 4 NBA titles, 4 MVP awards, 21 All-Star appearances, and countless other feats- not to forget he is the leading scorer in the history of the league- the Lakers superstar's legacy is cemented for an eternity. However, one of his biggest critics, Skip Bayless, expectedly has a contradictory viewpoint.
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LeBron's Reputation In The Hands of His Son Bronny
While LeBron James as a player will undoubtedly be hailed, if not the greatest, as arguably the GOAT of the game, but at 40, he is now teammates with his son Bronny James as well. Bronny's performance gets extra heed because he is the son of the great LeBron James. If he performs well LeBron also gets the flowers, and comes at the end of criticism if he fails to impress on the court. Taking this into account, Skip Bayless thinks that LeBron's reputation is in the hands of his son now.
On his show, Skip Bayless discussed how LeBron’s reputation is on the line because of Bronny. He uploaded an 18-minute clip on X with the caption, “LeBron knows deep down that HIS reputation is on the line and he desperately needs it to be validated by Bronny’s NBA performances.” What he said in the clip was far more vicious.
Bayless said, “Obviously, dad’s [LeBron’s] pride is on the line. His pride is not rational. It’s not sane anymore. And LeBron knows deep down that his reputation is at stake.” So, if Bronny fails to produce on particular days, it will harm LeBron's reputation. Bayless believes that because LeBron went to such lengths to get his son into the NBA, he will bear the brunt of the responsibility.
He further said, “If his name would’ve been LeBron Smith Jr., it’d have been no way he’d have been on the Lakers’ bench or roster or their locker room.” He also went on to say that if some other player had been playing like Bronny, LeBeron would have been the first player to approach JJ Redick and ask for the removal of the youngster from the rotation.