Austin Rivers is a living example of how sons of NBA players and coaches can be treated once they make it to the league. Doc Rivers’ son has battled a lot of hate in his career just because of who his father is, and he does not want to see Bronny James suffer in the same way by becoming teammates with his father, LeBron James next season.
“I don’t want to see Bronny play with his dad, I really don’t. I went through something similar situation. A lot of people start discrediting what you have done. This kid has been in the limelight since he was born… Right now, his numbers don’t scream pro.”
Rivers made a great point about how he was one of the best players in his class and still saw fans and players discredit his success and claim he made it into the NBA because of Doc. Bronny isn’t as well-regarded a player as Rivers was, while having a more famous father.
“Him getting drafted & playing with his dad, at this point in his career because his success is not at the top-tier level, I don’t want that negativity to come his way. He doesn’t deserve it. He’s not a top-10 pick, he’s not a lottery pick, I was all those things, and still when I went to play for the Clippers, ‘You’re only in the league because of your dad’, after me being the No. 1 player in the United State two years prior.”
Rivers expressed how he wants to see Bronny carve out his own identity in the league.
“Doc’s great, but LeBron James is the most popular player to ever play besides who, Michael Jordan? It would be a lot. I hope for the kid that he’s able to, not only play in the NBA but play somewhere where he can niche out his own identity.”
"I don't want to see Bronny play with [LeBron]… Him getting drafted & playing with his dad, I don't want that negativity to come his way. He doesn't deserve it… [He needs to] play somewhere where he can niche out his own identity."
– Austin Riverspic.twitter.com/GwBK2C4GOl
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 5, 2024
LeBron and Bronny being teammates is a dream LeBron has, not Bronny. The pair would become the first father-son duo in NBA history to be teammates, as we’ve never seen a father play in the NBA long enough for his son to come in and be his teammate. This is a unique bit of history for the James family, but Bronny has his career to look after.
LeBron James Has Said He’s OK With Not Playing Alongside Bronny
LeBron understands that his wanting to be teammates with Bronny is not the same thing as his son wanting the same. He has previously said that he would be okay with Bronny rejecting the chance to be teammates and follow his aspirations.
“I’ve done what I’ve had to do in this league, and my son is going to take his journey. And whatever his journey, however his journey lays out, he’s going to do what’s best for him. As his dad, and his mom, Savannah, and his brother and sister, we’re going to support him in whatever he decides to do. So, just because that’s my aspiration or my goal, doesn’t mean it’s his. And I’m absolutely OK with that.”
Many teams will be looking to put the James family together on one roster. Even if it isn’t a competitive roster, it would be a marketing goldmine. But there’d be a lot more focus on stuff off the court than what the pair could achieve on the court, which would hurt Bronny’s development.
It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. James could continue pushing for a title with the Lakers and join whichever team Bronny is on after that to have a retirement season alongside his son.
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