All fathers hope to one day see their children surpass them and carry on their legacy. This sentiment is especially true for LeBron James, who recently witnessed his Los Angeles Lakers select his son, Bronny James, in the 2024 NBA Draft with the No. 55 pick.
While making it to the NBA is a remarkable achievement for any player, many believe that Bronny faces an uphill battle in surpassing his father’s monumental career legacy. LeBron James is often regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, basketball players in history.
However, one polarizing sports analyst believes Bronny already surpasses his father in one critical aspect of the game: the clutch gene.
FS1’s Skip Bayless has stirred up controversy this week by claiming that Bronny James possesses a stronger clutch gene than his father, LeBron James, despite offering little evidence to support this assertion.
“I think Bronny is built tougher than his father because he has been through a lot,” Bayless said. “I think he will become a clutch three-point shooter. I’ve got the feeling that Bronny has a bigger clutch gene than his dad does.”
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Bayless’s comments have sparked significant backlash on social media, with many questioning the basis of his claims. Critics argue that Bayless’s opinion seems to be rooted more in his longstanding tendency to criticize LeBron James than in any concrete evidence from Bronny’s performances.
It’s worth noting that Bronny is still at the very beginning of his professional career.
Evaluating his clutch performance based on a few high school games and early career moments is premature, especially when compared to his father’s extensive and illustrious career. LeBron James has built a legacy over two decades, characterized by numerous clutch performances in critical moments, including NBA Finals.
The reaction to Bayless’s take has been overwhelmingly negative, with many fans and analysts dismissing it as another attempt to undermine LeBron James. However, this type of provocative commentary has been a hallmark of Bayless’s career in sports media, where he has often generated attention by making bold and controversial statements.
On the brighter side, as Bayless continues to age, his presence in the sports media industry may wane. When that day comes, his often polarizing and divisive takes may fade with him.
In the meantime, Bronny James has the opportunity to carve out his own path in the NBA. While the comparisons to his father are inevitable, Bronny’s career will ultimately be defined by his own achievements and contributions to the game.
Whether he will develop the clutch gene that Bayless claims remains to be seen, but for now, the young athlete has the support and high hopes of both his father and the broader basketball community.
