The NBA – a dream for most. It’s the highest level of competition in the world. And for young athletes, there’s no bigger stage to showcase their talents. But the Association isn’t for the faint-hearted. Many a time, we see the most promising of talents crash and burn due to the pressure. It’s not easy, but you won’t thrive unless you keep your head down and get the work in. For now, it seems like Bronny James is in the middle of the same situation. A college sensation, with one of the most terrifying names in NBA history, but a slow start. Luckily, Rich Paul has some words of guidance.
Rich Paul is the CEO of Klutch Sports- and the agent to LeBron James. Unsurprisingly, he signed Bronny James to the roster. But don’t be mistaken – there’s absolutely no favouritism from his side. In fact, Paul was among those who agreed James should continue to play for the South Bay Lakers in the G League to help him improve, instead of throwing him headfirst into the deep end.
He knows – no matter what pedigree you come in with, or what round you were a part of in the draft, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA. “A younger player who’s trying to fight for their life. You just can’t, you just never want those things to be the reason why a team don’t bring you back. Right? Because our league, there’s nothing guaranteed in our league, no matter what pick you was in the lottery or what round you win or anything like that. It’s just nothing guaranteed in our league,” said Paul on Haynes Briefs.
Mar 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
This message isn’t just for Bronny though. For all younguns out there – it’s hard. Paul knows it. The pressure is insurmountable. But from this horizon is where the greats rise from. “When I see things like that, and again, I’m not getting down on anybody, but it’s just, I just know how fragile this stuff is, man,” said the veteran agent. “And these kids, these young men, they work all their lives to get to this level. They work all their lives to get to this level. And when they get here, they have so many people depending on them, which fair or unfair, and if they don’t stay long, they’re not gonna have enough.”
The NBA season might not have shown it, but his G League performances were outstanding. He averaged 21.9/5.2/5.4 in 11 games with the South Bay Lakers, shooting 44% from the field and 38% from downtown. Those kind of stats don’t come around often.
With all the talk of nepotism, Bronny James has proven his worth by playing with the big boys. Of course, you can’t really judge him by his first season. And after his postseason self-review, he’ll be pleased the world isn’t doing so as well.
Bronny James “was under a lot of pressure” throughout the season
Bronny has been playing with a huge chip on his shoulder all season. The talk of nepotism will seemingly never end unless he shows the haters how it’s done. But despite a promising rookie season, the Lakers star admitted to the pressure of the big stages getting to him.
“I was under a lot of pressure,” James said in an interview with Fox Sports. “It was getting to me a little bit.” To be honest, his chances under JJ Redick have been limited to just 27 games, with just 6.7 minutes on average in those games. It’s not ideal, but it had to be done. After the Timberwolves crashout, the prodigal son spoke on his ego and the pressure speaking big on his performances. But the development goes on, and Bronny is confident of a better future.
“Working is a distraction from everything,” he told Fox Sports. “I love just coming into the gym and working and talking to my coaches and watching film. All of the stuff that can help me get better every day. It’s a distraction from all of that stuff. So, just going to continue to do that and see where it takes me. It’s going good so far.”
Feb 20, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates victory over the Portland Trail Blazers with his son guard Bronny James (9) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Well, the season’s in the past now. Rich Paul’s words should’ve stung deep. The future isn’t guaranteed, but Bronny James can control it by proving his worth. Lakers boss JJ Redick clearly values him, but you gotta be able to thrive under the pressure if you’re to be a star.
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