Maybe the largest criticism of early-career LeBron James was this one, albeit a bit misguided:
"He doesn't have the killer instinct. He passes too much in late-game situations. He's too quick to make the right basketball play."
No one could say that about Bronny James on Thursday night.
Sure, it's just Summer League, but this is a crucial summer for LeBron's son as he heads into his second professional season.
And trailing by two to the Mavericks with the shot clock off, Bronny had the ball in his hands. He had a choice: Try to play hero, or try to win the game by the best means available.
Bronny chose hero ball.
In the end, he wound up with a difficult, stepping back, 3-point attempt with a tall hand in his face.
BRONNY JAMES FOR THE WIN 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/90NqBIOR4K
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) July 11, 2025
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Bronny didn't attack at all. He didn't try to put pressure on the defense. He just chucked up a prayer.
Of course, many of you probably read the headline and went, "Well, duh, we already knew Bronny wasn't like his dad."
But in this spot, Bronny needed to be.
He's 6-foot-2 and not a great shooter. The only way he'll stick in the NBA is by consistently and excellently making the right play at the right time. He has to execute so well, because he can't get by on the freakish physical gifts that LeBron has that he doesn't.
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It's one shot, and we could roll out the Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take," quote here to try and make a different point.
But with all eyes on him, Bronny proved he's not his father. It's something everyone suspected, and this was more evidence.
Bronny can learn from this and grow and still have a decent NBA career.
But presented with a chance to save the day for the Lakers' Summer League team, Bronny chose wrong.
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