Shaquille O'Neal is battling alongside Bronny James, a rookie trying to find his way in the NBA. TMZ Recently catching up with Big Aristotle, the media asked him about LeBron James' son, and while Bronny's presence in the league has drawn mixed reactions, O'Neal sent a clear message to his “nephew.”
“Keep playing hard, Bronny,” Shaq said fondly. “Uncle Shaq loves you.” And if anyone is qualified to talk about Bronny, Shaq might be the man.
The son of the legendary Los Angeles Lakers, Shareef also wanted to play basketball professionally. Like Bronny, Shareef also suffered from congenital heart disease and required open-heart surgery. After recovering, Shareef O'Neal went undrafted but eventually joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022 NBA Summer League. In September 2022, the young O'Neal signed with the NBA G League Ignite as a veteran player.
During his time with the Lakers, Shareef drew criticism from pundits and NBA legends, with former Laker Robert Horry even questioning whether Shareef had what it took to make it in the NBA. Two years later, Bronny finds himself in the same situation. But according to LeBron James, Bronny doesn't care about all the noise. He just wants to play.
“I don't know if people really understand Bronny,” James said. ESPN“He doesn't care. I care a little bit. When I got here [as a rookie]I wanted people to like me and early on in my career some of the things people were saying about me bothered me a little bit… He doesn't care.
“He doesn't care about anybody. He doesn't listen to any of that stuff. He's super cool. The complete opposite of his dad. His dad would say something. [to address the critics]He doesn't care… Everything that's being said about him, he really doesn't care.”
In June, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, making him the first father-son duo to play in the league at the same time. Bronny has since appeared in four NBA Summer League appearances, averaging 4.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
“I don't know if people really understand Bronny… He doesn't care… He's the complete opposite of his dad. His dad was [to address the critics]”…My brother doesn't mind.” pic.twitter.com/RClp9RJIIF
– LeBron James talks about the intense scrutiny his son Bronny has received?
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) July 8, 2024
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