LeBron James Criticizes Concerning Lakers Area After Brutal Loss to Timberwolves 3 Dec 1, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets interviewed after the game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

Fact Check: Did LeBron James Tell Anthony Edwards That Bronny James Is Coming For His Spot?

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 11:24 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has called out to Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, proudly claiming that his son, Bronny James, will soon take Edrwards’ “place” in the NBA—at least that is what one account on X claimed.

With a claim as bold as such, it is worth questioning whether James actually said this or not. A closer look at the source of the supposed news would help shed light on the authenticity of the story.

For starters, the account that posted the video and caption is the NBA Centel (@TheNBACentel). The account description claimed that they are featured in major news outlets such as Fox and Daily Mail. However, the end of the account description clearly states that the Centel is a parody account.

The real account it is copying is the NBA Central (@TheDunkCentral), which is a trusted third-party source of NBA news and updates.

Secondly, the video is noticeably lacking any audio. While it does show LeBron talking and interacting, there is no way to confirm that he did say the things depicted in the post caption. In fact, his lips do not resemble any words from the supposed statement at all.

Fact Check: Did LeBron James Tell Anthony Edwards That Bronny James Is Coming For His Spot? 2 Dec 2, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

All these factors and facts prove that this is nothing but a ragebait post from a parody account and is in no way legitimate news.

Bronny James, junior to LeBron, has faced numerous controversies and doubts ever since he began his career under the Lakers, the same team as his father. Often dubbed as a nepo baby, people have always doubted Bronny’s skills and qualifications, with some people even asking whether he is deserving to be in the NBA or not.

Stephen A. Smith to LeBron James: “This is Your Fault”

With Bronny James often criticized and picked on for his “skills,” and how he has not made even a single-digit average in all categories so far this season, NBA commentator and analyst Stephen A. Smith blamed LeBron James for the hate the young Bronny is getting online.

In one of his program segments, Smith mentioned that while Bronny may lack the skills right now, he still has a long way to go and would definitely improve with training and practice. However, Smith blamed LeBron for the citation Bronny is in right now.

Oct 23, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Stephen A. Smith (Stephen Smith) on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

For Smith, LeBron leveraged his media influence that forced Bronny towards the Lakers, and thus what made him a “nepo baby” in the eyes of the public.

Smith said: “Because he’s LeBron James, he greased the skids and facilitated it happening.”

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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