If anyone still needs persuading that LeBron (alias “LeWoke”) James is practically running the NBA, his latest power-broking remarks should sway your thinking in that direction. The man with an ego the size of Saturn has given the league an ultimatum that he will only play wherever his son Bronny plays three seasons from now.
A normal, more humble human being playing pro sports might put it this way: “I’m nearing the end of my career, and it would be amazing if my son makes it to the NBA and we could play together on the same team in my final year.” Humility isn’t part of LeWoke’s DNA, though.
James’ son Bronny is a junior at Sierra Canyon High School, in Los Angeles, and is rated among the top 50 prospects in the nation. The 6-foot-3 point guard has already received a scholarship offer from Kansas, but there’s no guarantee he will actually attend college or be a college star, let alone an NBA prospect.
Bronny’s dad -- Mr. Me-Myself-and-I – is assuming an awful lot with regard to his son’s future. And his own future, too. He will be nearing 40 years of age when Bronny is eligible to play professionally in 2024. LeWoke, the most hated man in the NBA, isn’t winning over his many critics with his unbridled audacity.
In a Saturday interview with The Athletic, the 37-year-old Los Angeles Lakers forward and NBA power broker said he plans to team up with his 17-year-old son before retiring.:
"My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."
It is still, however, about the power, control and team-making for the narcissist. He angered Cleveland fans by moving to the Miami Heat in 2012 and orchestrating two ready-made championships there with the additions of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
In 2016, LeWoke showed up again in Cleveland to team up with Kyrie Irving and bag another NBA title two years later. Irving was unhappy playing with James and went to Boston in 2017, leading LeWoke to sniff out another potential title to broker with the Lakers. He and Anthony Davis teamed up there to win the 2020 NBA title in the Florida bubble.
James’ team loyalty is about an inch deep, and with the Lakers banged up and flailing away at 27-31, the never satisfied front-runner is scouting out a future move.
Related: Owens: LeBron Is Well-Meaning, But Has A Low IQ
James even mentioned the possibility of finishing his career with Cleveland – the team he’s jilted twice. “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing, I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds.” The Cleveland door is not closed, LeWoke decided unilaterally.
Geesh, does Cleveland have any say in this? Any say in shelling out truckloads of cash to an aging superstar for his selfish motive? Should any team accommodate James’ family plan at the expense of its own organizational goals?
Basketball commentator Bill Simmons asked: “Are we sure Cleveland would want to do that? They have like incredible chemistry right now. ... [Cleveland’s sarcastic response] ‘Oh cool, LeBron’s coming.'”
If Bronny makes the NBA, he and his coach may be in for a lot of headaches caused by LeWoke’s temperament. No one actually coaches LeWoke, and he is quick to chew out teammates. He would likely supersede his coach’s authority by coaching (and yelling at) his son. It would not be an ideal situation for the son of a superstar to have that pressure night-in and night-out.
If these Youtube comments are any indication, many fans are fed up with LeWoke’s constant attempts to manipulate the NBA.