JJ Redick 'Impressed' With How Bronny James Handles The Hate He Gets For Being LeBron James' Son

Bronny James has been the subject of much scrutiny since being drafted into the NBA by JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024. In addition to basketball fans repeating that Bronny isn't ready for the big league, the 20-year-old has also had to deal with criticism from sports analysts simply because he's LeBron James' son.

However, during a new interview, Redick revealed that not only has he been impressed with Bronny James and his development on the court, but he also praised him for how he's dealt with the "bullsh-t" that comes from being the son of one of the greatest athletes ever to play the game.

After the Los Angeles Lakers' performance against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20, 2025, Redick stopped to speak with ESPN about his team and how they plan to compete while several of their star players sit out due to injuries.

He also used that time to highlight Bronny, who typically plays for LA's G-League team, the South Bay Lakers, for his standout performance, which included 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, five assists, three rebounds, and a block.

Of course, the rookie baller still has room to develop, which many have pointed out throughout his time in the league so far. Even with that, though, Redick says he's been "impressed" with Bronny and how he's handled much of the criticism.

"I've just been impressed with the person that he is," he said. "And to deal with ... frankly, bullsh-t because of who his dad is and just keep a level head about it and be a class act says a lot about him, says a lot about that family."

Reddick then seemingly defended his and the Lakers' decision to draft Bronny, adding, "He was certainly going to be an NBA player, and I still believe that he'll be an NBA player."

Bronny's performance against the Bucks on Thursday night was by far the young adult's best performance in his short career. Clearly, the work he's putting in with the South Bay Lakers has been beneficial for him, and Reddick agrees.

Elsewhere, during his chat with EPSN, the former Orlando Magic player said he wasn't "surprised" by Bronny's skill on the floor against Antetokounmpo.

"I think his confidence is growing," Reddick said. "I think the next step is just becoming an elite-conditioned athlete. Because when [he] does that, with his physical tools and his burst and his handle — and we think he's going to be an above-average to really good NBA shooter — he's going to have a chance to really make an impact."

Redick's high praise about Bronny came weeks after his star athlete, LeBron, made headlines for his heated conversation with sports analyst Stephen A. Smith on the sidelines of a Lakers game earlier this month.

During an episode of "First Take," Smith addressed the situation and said the NBA champion had choice words for him after he made critical comments about his son's performance on television.

“I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: stop this. Stop this,” Smith said previously. "We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad."

He continued: "How are you doing him favors? We know that he’s not ready yet. And I’m saying this with compassion."

Smith admitted that LeBron was "very upset" with him; however, he didn't retract his statements. "That’s what I do for a living. And if you’re in the NBA, that applies to you," Smith said.

Despite the pushback, Bronny told ESPN that he was grateful to have coaches and teammates who believe in him as a player, considering his journey to the league hasn't been easy.

For those unfamiliar with the situation, Bronny went into cardiac arrest in July 2023 while training for his debut college season at the University of Southern California.

The medical incident kept the rising star off the court for some time, and when he returned, he averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

However, after weeks of playing with South Bay and occasionally alongside his dad with the Lakers, Bronny said he feels it "all coming back."

He added: "Just being out for that long, stuff that I had to go through, wind-wise and lung-wise ... I think I've been getting more comfortable as I get the reps under me and get the games under me and practices and learning from the bench and stuff like that. And I feel like it's good for me."

During a previous interview, Bronny opened up about how life has been for him since entering the NBA. He also shared how he tries to block out the negativity for his well-being.

"My first thought about everything is I always try to just let it go through one ear and out the other, put my head down, and come to work and be positive every day," he said.

"It fuels me a little," he continued, adding that he sees "everything that people are saying."

"People think, like, I'm a f-cking robot, like I don't have any feelings or emotions," he finished.