Kevin Garnett doesn't think Bronny James could score a bucket on his father, LeBron James, and his reasoning for it raised eyebrows. During an episode of the Ticket and The Truth podcast, Garnett said James is using steroids.
Kevin Garnett: "Bronny get a bucket on Bron right now?"
Paul Pierce: "Yeah, he can get a bucket on Bron right now. Yeah, he can get a bucket."
Garnett vehemently disagreed with Pierce's take. His co-host suggested LeBron won't be able to move his feet quickly enough, as Bronny is quite explosive. Garnett agreed on the Bronny part but then made the controversial claim.
Kevin Garnett: "He is, but have you seen his dad? His dad is on that BALCO, he on that new juice."
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That was quite the statement to make, but Garnett didn't elaborate any further on the matter, nor did he seem to think it was a big deal for him to say that. What makes it even more odd, is how Paul Pierce did not react to it either. Was Garnett just joking or making some weird analogy? Only he knows.
LeBron has never failed a drug test in his entire career, but he was linked with the Biogenesis scandal last year. The scandal broke out in 2013 when several MLB players were accused of obtaining performance-enhancing drugs from Biogenesis of America, a clinic based in Florida.
What does that have to do with LeBron you might wonder. Well, in 2023, ESPN obtained unredacted federal investigative documents that revealed the names of other figures whom the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated.
It was revealed that LeBron's long-term associate and friend Ernest "Randy" Mims was part of the DEA's investigation around PEDs. David Alexander, who had previously trained James, was also on that list. They had both acquired the drugs from Carlos Acevedo, who was a business partner of Anthony Bosch, founder of Biogenesis of America.
LeBron's ties to the two men led to him being investigated by the DEA as well. They concluded, however, that neither Mims nor Alexander had provided any PEDs to James and he was cleared.
A fair few MLB players, including Alex Rodriguez, weren't, though, and faced lengthy suspensions. Bosch, a self-described biochemist, and several associates of his were convicted as well.
An Ex-MMA Fighter Claimed LeBron James Uses PEDs
With LeBron managing to play at such a high level for such a long time, there has always been talk from some corners about him using steroids. Last year, former MMA fighter Chael Sonnen even shockingly alleged that James uses PEDs.
"If the world understood what LeBron did. Other basketball players will hear about what LeBron does and go 'that doesn't matter'. If you knew what these performance enhancers did, you'd know it does matter. We have the same drug guy, I know exactly what he's doing... EPO matters, it's the reason LeBron takes it. EPO increases your red blood cells which gives you the endurance to play all game long. It's the king of performance enhancers. EPO is the king. That's why cyclists do it."
In his 21st season in the NBA, the 39-year-old James is averaging 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Los Angeles Lakers. Someone with that much wear and tear on their body shouldn't be able to play at such a high level, but there is no indication whatsoever that he has used PEDs, except for claims like the one made by Sonnen.
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