Over the past couple of seasons, the spotlight on LeBron James has extended beyond his own legendary career and onto the path his son, Bronny James, is carving out in the NBA. When the Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, it wasn’t just a father’s dream realized-it was a historic moment. LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to share the floor in an NBA game, suiting up together in the Lakers’ season opener.
But since that milestone, Bronny’s transition to the league has been anything but smooth. His limited minutes and modest production have sparked plenty of conversation-some of it critical-about whether he was truly ready for the NBA stage or if his arrival was fast-tracked by his father’s influence. It’s a fair question in a league that demands performance, not pedigree.
That backdrop made for an interesting moment during NBA All-Star Weekend, when former NBA guard and five-time champion Ron Harper sat down for an interview alongside his sons, Dylan and Ron Harper Jr. The Harpers represent a basketball family in their own right-Dylan is a breakout rookie with the San Antonio Spurs, and Ron Jr. is contributing for the Boston Celtics.
When asked if he ever envisioned his sons following in his NBA footsteps, Ron Harper didn’t hold back. “I’m not LeBron James.
I’m not going to tell my kids what they have to do,” he said, a comment that landed with a bit of a thud in the context of the ongoing Bronny debate. Whether it was meant as a direct jab or not, the implication was clear: Harper believes in letting the game-and the kids-speak for themselves.
And Dylan Harper has certainly been speaking loudly this season. The 6-foot-5 guard out of Rutgers has been a key piece in San Antonio’s surge up the Western Conference standings.
The Spurs currently sit in the No. 2 seed out West and hold the third-best record in the league, thanks in part to Dylan’s steady contributions. He’s averaging 10.9 points and 3.7 assists in just under 22 minutes per game, providing spark and poise in a deep Spurs backcourt.
Bronny, by comparison, is still finding his footing. He’s averaging 2.2 points and 1.2 assists in 7.3 minutes per game, shooting 40% from the field.
It’s a small sample size, but it reflects the reality of a young player still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA. There have been flashes, though-like Tuesday’s matchup between the Spurs and Lakers, when Dylan posted 15 points and six assists in a blowout win, and Bronny countered with one of his best outings of the season: 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, along with six assists of his own.
It was a small moment, but one that hinted at the potential still simmering beneath the surface for Bronny. The path may not be linear, but it’s far from over.
Meanwhile, the James family basketball lineage isn’t done yet. LeBron’s younger son, Bryce, is currently a freshman at the University of Arizona. He’s eligible to declare for the NBA Draft this summer if he chooses to take that leap.
So while the debate around Bronny’s readiness continues, the broader story here is one of legacy, pressure, and the unpredictable journey of young players trying to make their own names in the shadow of greatness. Whether you’re a James or a Harper, the NBA doesn’t hand out minutes based on your last name.
You earn them. And for these next-generation players, that grind is just beginning.