Bronny James Drops Surprising Truth About His Rookie Season Struggles—What No One Expected

Bronny James—son of a legend, bearer of a relentless spotlight, and now, a rookie navigating the brutal baptism of the NBA. As the Lakers’ season wraps up, so does Bronny’s inaugural campaign, which, let’s be honest, didn’t exactly set the world on fire. But here’s the thing: was anyone really expecting Bronny to echo LeBron’s magic right out of the gate? Probably not. The No. 55 pick faced a tidal wave of pressure that few rookies, even with lesser pedigrees, could withstand. His candid admission about that weight? It speaks volumes. This isn’t just about stats on a scoreboard—it’s about a young man wrestling with expectations he never asked for but bravely embraced anyway. So, what’s next for Bronny? Is this rough start a prelude to something greater, or just the harsh reality of carving your own path in an arena dominated by giants? Let’s unpack the rookie season that went a little sideways and why that might just be the best thing for him in the long run.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ season is finally over.

That means that Bronny James’ campaign is officially in the books.

No one will mistake his numbers with his father’s, as he was a non-factor for J.J. Redick’s team.

Of course, that shouldn’t be a surprise, as we’re talking about a No. 55 pick who most scouts agreed wasn’t ready for the pros.

Now, looking back on his first campaign, the USC product also admitted that he was struggling because of the pressure.

“I was under a lot of pressure. It was getting to me a little,” he acknowledged.

Bronny James on his NBA rookie season:

“I was under a lot of pressure. It was getting to me a little.”

(via @melissarohlin) pic.twitter.com/FuOzGdklvO

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 3, 2025

That’s part of the deal.

Even after making the league, he would’ve benefited from spending more time with the G-League and getting consistent playing time.

To be fair, Bronny also deserves plenty of credit and respect for choosing to take this path.

He was never a highly-touted prospect, and the chances of him even coming close to his father were pretty slim.

He didn’t have to play ball or pursue a career as a professional athlete, and he still chose to do so despite knowing that he would be singled out and in the eye of the storm.

Bronny can still have a long and decent career in the league if he is given enough time to grow through his mistakes and embrace his role.

It will be all about taming the expectations.

The post Bronny James Has Honest Admission About His Rookie Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.