Bronny James is entering another NBA season with a chance to create his own identity. However, it is still difficult for him to escape the shadow of his father, LeBron James. LeBron has built one of the greatest careers in basketball history. Because of this, people often compare Bronny’s career with his father’s journey.

Former NFL and MLB star Deion Sanders recently spoke about the pressure Bronny faces. During an appearance with Stephen Jackson on All the Smoke Show, Sanders discussed how difficult it can be for young athletes with famous parents. He said he had watched Bronny play and could see the pressure around him because of his last name.

Sanders said fans often watch Bronny while thinking about LeBron. This makes it harder to judge Bronny only as a young player.

“They wanna see the daddy. They wanna see it. They ain’t checking for Bronny. They wanna see the daddy, and Bronny is coming,” Sanders said on All the Smoke Show. “He may not get there as quick as his father arrived but he’s coming.”

This comparison creates a major challenge because LeBron became an NBA star very quickly. Bronny, meanwhile, has taken a slower path and has played a much smaller role early in his career. Sanders does not believe Bronny needs to follow the same timeline as his father.

Sanders also said he felt for Bronny after watching him play. He understands the pressure that famous parents and their children can face in sports. Seeing Bronny deal with that attention made the situation feel more personal to him. His son, Shedeur Sanders, also plays in the NFL.

“I like Bronny James, man. I went to the game when they played he, I felt bad for him,” Sanders said. 

Bronny faces a situation that very few young basketball players have experienced. His famous last name brings extra attention to almost every performance. People can quickly turn a normal game into a discussion about whether he is living up to LeBron’s name.

Sanders then spoke about his own children. He said parents should not expect their children to copy their careers or reach the same level of success. Instead, he wants them to become the best versions of themselves.

“It’s a lot. Because it’s a lot on the shorty. I could see and, and see the pressure. I could see it, because I got boys, man, and, and I could see it,” Sanders said. 

Sanders believes Bronny does not need to become another LeBron. He wants the young guard to focus on his own skills, progress, and opportunities.

“You don’t have to be me, man, but I need you to be the best you That’s it… you could be. That’s my deal with my shorties,” Sanders said. 

That advice fits Bronny’s situation closely. The biggest challenge for him is to separate his own career from his father’s historic career. Sanders believes people should look at the player Bronny becomes instead of expecting him to match LeBron’s achievements.

Sanders also explained why children of famous athletes face a different kind of pressure. A legendary parent can create expectations that a child cannot realistically match.

“You ain’t, you can’t be me. God has graced me and gifted me, and just separated me and set me aside, but give me the best you. Don’t, don’t half step with me,” Sanders said. 

Bronny is still at an early stage of his NBA career. The Los Angeles Lakers selected him 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft after he played one college season at USC. He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2024, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He later played alongside LeBron, creating a historic moment for the James family.

Bronny played only 27 regular-season games during his rookie season. He averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 6.7 minutes per game. He started only one game as the Lakers slowly developed him as a young guard.

Bronny made some progress during his second NBA season. He played 42 games in 2025-26 and averaged 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 8.9 minutes per game. His three-point shooting also improved. He shot 38.6% from three-point range after shooting 28.1% as a rookie.

Bronny enters the 2026-27 season with the Lakers after LeBron moved to the Philadelphia 76ers. Bronny is expected to remain a backup guard and compete for more playing time behind players such as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

However, the pressure around Bronny started long before he entered the NBA. After the Lakers drafted him in 2024, Bronny admitted that playing with his father brought extra attention and expectations.

“For sure, an amplified amount of pressure. I’ve already seen it on social media and the internet and stuff about how I might not deserve an opportunity. But, you know, I’ve been dealing with stuff like this for my whole life, so it’s nothing different, but it’s more amplified for sure. I’ll get through it,” Bronny said in 2024. 

LeBron has also talked about the pressure his name could put on his children. During a 2018 appearance on The Shop, he said he regretted giving Bronny his name because of the basketball expectations connected to it.

“I still regret giving my 14-year-old my name,” LeBron James said in 2018. 

That concern remains important as Bronny continues his NBA career. His last name will always connect him to one of basketball’s biggest stars.

Sanders returned to the same point near the end of his comments. He knows Bronny cannot completely avoid comparisons with his father. However, he still believes the young guard can build something of his own.

“And it’s sad that when they look at that young man, man, they trying to see Bron, dog. Yeah. That’s hard, man. That’s one of a kind, and I feel bad for him in that aspect, but I think he’s coming,” Sanders said. 

Bronny now has to keep improving while creating an identity separate from his father’s career. LeBron’s legacy will always be part of his story, but Sanders believes Bronny can still create his own path.

As Bronny continues to fight for a bigger role, the focus may slowly move away from him being LeBron James’ son. Instead, people may begin to see him simply as Bronny James.

What do you think? Can Bronny use the pressure of following LeBron as motivation while building a career that belongs to him? Let us know in the comments.