During a recent episode of ESPN, former Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers addressed the possibility of Bronny James playing LeBron James, saying,
“Him going and playing with his dad, at this point in his career, just because Bronny’s success is not at a top-tier level, him getting drafted and playing with his dad, I don’t want that negativity to come his way. Because he doesn’t deserve it. I hope that he’s able to play somewhere where he can niche out his own identity.”
Austin Rivers on Bronny James:
“I don’t want to see Bronny play with his dad. I went through something similar… What happens is that everyone starts to discredit everything that you’ve done… I don’t want that negativity to come his way, he doesn’t deserve it.”
(via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/aeyw5IQ4bG
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 6, 2024
NBA star Stephen Jackson responded to the news by lashing out at Rivers, saying in an Instagram post:
“And your daddy not LeBron. Shut up.”
Stephen Jackson on Austin Rivers’ comments:
“And your daddy not LeBron. Shut up. Difference is you trash, Bronny not. You can’t compare to him scrub.”
(via @wenzellortiz, @sidelinesources) https://t.co/10lSps8y3c pic.twitter.com/JjlBJcnome
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 6, 2024
It looks like Jackson has lost all of Rivers because of his words.
This statement confirms what the former Nuggets guard said.
“If Rivers has to deal with naysayers who say he’s in the league because of his father, it’s fair to assume that he’s going to have to do it even harder if Bronny James is on the same team as LeBron James.”
When Bronny James enrolled to play at the University of Southern California, the former four-star prospect grew closer to his father, LeBron James, on the NBA court.
Bronny’s ability to compete with James on the same court is legendary, as no father and son have ever appeared in the same game in NBA history.
LeBron has shown a desire to play with Bronny, which could happen next year.
Former NBA player Austin Rivers, who was just 11 years old, played for his father Doc Rivers on the LA Clippers from 2015 to 2018.
On Monday, he reflected on a potentially game-changing experience with Malika Andrews on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” and Brian Windhorst.
I don’t want to see Bronny playing with his dad. When I played for the (Clippers), I made it to the NBA. He excelled at Sierra Canyon, where he was able to attend schools like USC.
His numbers right now aren’t up to par at the pro level, so if he gets drafted or drafted, it would be nice to have him on a struggling team to help get him into situations because he has talent.
In fact, Austin was a five-star recruit and the top player in the class of 2011 after attending Winter Park High School in central Florida. He played one season at Duke and was the 10th overall pick by the New Orleans Hornets in 2012.
Despite his success, Austin struggled when he was traded to the Clippers in January 2015. He believes Bronny will get the most scrutiny. If only I could be a teammate like LeBron was in the NBA.
At this point in his career, Bronny’s success isn’t at the highest level, because he’s drafted and he plays with his dad, and I don’t want that to reflect on him because he doesn’t get it right. Not a top ten. He is not a lottery winner.
It is not so. It’s all of these things, but when I went to the Clippers, people were like, you’re only in the league because your dad was the number one player in the country behind me two years ago.
Bronny was expected to be the first choice this season until he suffered a heart attack during USC’s practice in July.
The 19-year-old is undecided about entering this year’s NBA draft and will remain at USC to further his career.
LeBron has a player option on his contract for next season, and if he doesn’t end up with the Lakers, he could choose to leave and join Bronny.
While the pairing of Bronny and LeBron isn’t obvious, Austin offered an in-depth look at some of the pitfalls that come with them teaming up.
Fans reacted as follows:
Mf comparing Doc Rivers to LeBron😭😭😭
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) February 6, 2024
Bro most people don’t even know your Dad played ball 😭
— BeastBron💜💛 (@bronisabeast) February 6, 2024
Doc and Austin are nowhere near LeBron and Bronny tho
— JBond 🍌 (@jbondwagon) February 6, 2024
He’s right, Bronny is a late second round pick at best.
— 🦇 (@Shadowiscold) February 6, 2024
I have to admit as a kid I thought Austin Rivers was the one. Top 3 Hoopmixtape ever, & not 3. pic.twitter.com/ttSunySVGh
— DJ (@DJThePrototype) October 13, 2023
Valid point, he’s not comparing. We all seen this play out since youth sports. Don’t let the QB or PG be be the coaches son 😆
Naysayers “ he’s only there, because….”
— MR INT’L (@2INTL4U) February 6, 2024
Just the fact that his his name is Lebron James Jr. will make him have a ton of media pressure. Doesn’t matter if he’s on his dad’s team or not
— ☔️ (@wezzyupnext) February 6, 2024
he thinks his dad is on the same level as lebron and he is on the same level as bronny🤡
— Duop Reath Muse (@duopreath26) February 6, 2024
Bronny not better than Austin rivers bro lol I haven’t seen it anyway
— 👨🏾🍼 (@ThelegendaryRg3) February 6, 2024
What has Stephen Jackson done in the nba for him to talk like this
— ✮ (@HardenUTD) February 6, 2024
Rivers 10x better than what bronny was in HS and college lol
— AC (@Theykallme_ac) February 6, 2024
Stephen Jackson forgot he was a role player in this league.
— The NBA Realist (@nbarealist23) February 6, 2024
Nigga tryna get on bron good side like he don’t be hating on him every chance he get😂
— LeBen (@FeelLikeSimmons) February 6, 2024
This is a terrible take. Austin Rivers was an elite prospect, lottery pick, ~10 year veteran. The only reason Bronny has any chance at making the NBA right now is his dad
— Martin Gorthot (@washedwiz) February 7, 2024
Rivers was in the league 12 years, I promise its more than just nepotism, he was a solid player
— Official Small Market Sympathizer (@OTownNBA) February 6, 2024
not too many people was touching Austin Rivers in HS,,,,
& in college,, as a freshman (1&done),, he was one of the better guards in the country on a really good Duke team,,,
Stephen Jackson sounds kind of crazy here,,,
— Russ Smith 🔮 The Specter 🕯️ (@TheRussdiculous) February 7, 2024
LeBron does not care what you have to say. How about you talk about the great job. Your dad is doing coaching the Bucks 🥴
— ╰☆☆ ʲẸ𝓷ᑎ𝕚 ☆☆╮ (@BrowBron_) February 5, 2024
This is a chance at history we'll probably never see this happen again. An all time great player playing this long and having a chance to play against or along side his son. Even if Bronny doesnt pan out in the NBA this feat alone will be a moment in history
— Sean🎯 (@MrFreez718) February 5, 2024
I hear what Austin is saying and it makes sense but the reality of the matter is the kid already is facing unwarranted negativity and him not playing with his Lebron won’t all of a sudden make it any easier. It is what it is… let them make history!
— TheUrbanCEO (@TyronMcDaniel) February 6, 2024
I could see LeBron retiring after this year or having bronny stay in school for another year just to avoid them both being in the league at the same time precisely for this reason
— Andrew Ponce (@andrewponce33) February 5, 2024
I completely agree with Austin Rivers on this one. Also he didn't say one lie when speaking about himself in comparison to the situation. I appreciate his insight. One of the few who can actually relate from a first person perspective.
— Childless Gambino (@Mr_Xecutive) February 6, 2024
