Bronny James Shares What Keeps Him Going in a Challenging Rookie Year: 'People Think I'm a F---ing Robot'

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Bronny James has been a lightning rod for opinions ever since he was drafted in June. At just 20 years old, the young athlete is learning to navigate the overwhelming scrutiny that comes with being LeBron James' son—while also carving out his own path in the NBA.

"My first thought about everything is I always try to just let it go through one ear and out the other, put my head down and come to work and be positive every day. But sometimes it just, it fuels me a little bit," Bronny said in an interview with The Athletic. "I see everything that people are saying, and people think, like, I’m a f---ing robot, like I don’t have any feelings or emotions."

For James, the criticism has turned into motivation. He explained that he channels the negativity into hard work, saying, "I just take that and use it as fuel for me to go out, wake up every day and get to the gym early, get my extra work in, watch my extra film every day, get better every day." Lakers’ General Manager Rob Pelinka has encouraged this relentless pursuit of growth, even as Bronny splits his time between the NBA and the G-League.

In 22 NBA games this season, James has averaged a modest 2.3 points per game. However, with the Lakers' roster gutted by injuries—including his superstar dad LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and others—Bronny seized the opportunity to shine in their recent 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Scoring a career-high 17 points, it marked the first time he hit double digits in his fledgling NBA career.

Of course, not all of Bronny's performances this season have been highlights. A scoreless outing on January 29 drew harsh criticism from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who claimed, "We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad." LeBron didn't take kindly to the jab, reportedly confronting Smith at a Lakers home game.

Reflecting on his career-best performance, Bronny shared, "Gaining my confidence and my comfortability over reps, you know, and getting out there and taking advantage of my opportunity if it’s given, so just being ready at all times is the biggest thing for me." While he didn't directly address Smith's critique, it's hard not to wonder if those words spurred him to prove his doubters wrong.

As a former USC player, Bronny will aim to keep the momentum going when the Lakers face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. It’s clear he’s determined to prove he's more than just "LeBron's kid." Whether the world is ready to see him as a player in his own right is another story.