Unlike Bronny James, Michael Jordan’s sons escape serious Gen Z weapons that cursed LeBron’s family

As the son of LeBron James, Bronny James faces undeniable pressure. He’s rated as a basketball player, but it’s so much more than that. Being in the blood of a king comes with a price. It’s like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, people long for James’ eldest son to be just his last name. But it also comes with harsh criticism, and every move is closely monitored.

The age of social media is really affecting 19-year-olds. Recently, his name was removed from 2024 NBA mock drafts, another product of the modern revolution. This left a nasty feeling in LeBron James’ mouth, and he asked for Bronny to be given some space. But how can this requirement be met in the age of social media?

Think about it, Bronny James is the son of the greatest basketball player on the planet. He had the weight of emulating his father on his shoulders, a feat that was unfairly thrust upon him. To some extent, all of this is a product of social media. But that’s not always the case. Just ask Michael Jordan’s sons.

Michael Jordan sees pressure on his sons, but not that much

You may recognize one of Jordan’s sons, Marcus, who is currently in a relationship with Larsa Pippen, the ex-wife of his father’s former teammate, Scottie Pippen. Jordan’s youngest son is the founder of Trophy Room, a store dedicated to honoring his father’s legacy. Jordan’s other son, Jeffrey, leads Jordan Brand’s digital innovation department.

But long before pursuing their passion, the two were drawn to the most natural profession you could associate with the name Jordan – basketball. Both Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan tried their hand at becoming professional basketball players. While being Michael Jordan’s son may seem like a luxury (and most of the time it is), in the world of basketball, it’s ruthless.

There’s always pressure to match the impact Michael Jordan left on the sport. Neither received interest from colleges, but were still viewed as “successors” who married with expectations. They are unrealistic. Unfamiliar methods such as televised games and media attention made Jordan’s sons feel the pressure.

Fortunately for them, this is not the age of social media. Nothing remains but the broadcast. Both Jeffery and Marcus Jordan can expand their horizons around basketball and explore their possibilities. This can also be attributed to Michael Jordan’s private and distant lifestyle. He never talked about kids basketball but supported it wholeheartedly.

Even he knew that being a son was a burden. In his Hall of Fame speech, he admitted that he didn’t want to be them, with the overwhelming attention and expectations placed on their shoulders.

But at heart, he was a loving father. Jordan could shed his image as a stingy competitor and become compassionate. He let his sons jog freely and speak their heart’s desires. He’s not trying to make basketball their only goal. This, combined with limited attention due to a lack of social media, led both men to decide to find a life outside of sports.

They know they’re not good enough, and there’s no social media forcing them to prove they’re not. Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan were able to think things through and make good decisions. Brownie may not have that luxury.

Bronny needs to weather the storm of being LeBron James’ son

In the modern era, being the son of LeBron James means having eyes on you all the time. This can be brutal. Before the season began, Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest that put his entire basketball career on hold. His journey is filled with questions. However, the 19-year-old’s iron will help him return this season.

Still, he was judged on equal terms. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter continue to create conversations about their eligibility to become NBA players. There was a lot of chatter around him. It’s not easy to be at the center of an entire conversation that’s played out in the media and debated around the world.

For a 19-year-old, that was intimidating. And then there’s LeBron James, who is a wonderful father but whose comments add fuel to the fire. He said his oldest son was better than some NBA players, which wasn’t seen as a father’s pride, but rather as an open challenge for him to declare. Ever since Bronny picked up a basketball, the world has thought he was the next LeBron James.

But that won’t happen.

Statistically speaking, Bronny James is not considered an NBA player. He averaged less than 6 points per game in his first year with the Trojans and was not considered a draft prospect. However, he is a great player. He can defend, stay active, make good decisions, and shoots a better jump shot than his father.

However, in an age of social media, these skills cannot be celebrated as everyone is chasing numbers. Brownie had none of these and was therefore considered a failure to the throne. It’s an unfair fate for a young man who’s only 19 years old, and it’s only because he’s the son of one of basketball’s most decorated players.

Instead of helping him increase his opportunities and showcase his skills, social media has become Bronny James’ curse. This is because of his bloodline. Unfortunately, LeBron James can’t escape this path no matter how much he tries to protect him.