Is it possible that Bronny James could understand what it was like to be Jesus? Are there similarities between this nineteen-year-old son of (arguably) “the G.O.A.T.” Lebron James and Jesus of Nazareth, son of God? In a recent article from the Ringer on the nineteen-year-old’s career prospects, I couldn’t help but notice. See if you don’t agree …

1. Misplaced and Unfair Expectations Are Rampant

According to the article, written by Mirin Fader, the gulf between what people are seeing on the court from Bronny and what they thought they’d see is vast. Fader writes,

Being one of the guys isn’t enough to satisfy the masses, people who want to see him be a star, to excel. To be the mirror image of the kid from Akron. But it’s clear Bronny, unlike his father, is not an overnight sensation. He’s a work in progress, with limitless potential and a zealous work ethic, but facing a tremendous climb amid a season like no other.

Bronny isn’t playing the way everyone assumed he would. Everyone was hoping for something different from what they are seeing on the court. Fader writes about a game between Cal and USC (Bronny plays for USC). Fans pepper the venue wearing Lebron jerseys. During warm-ups, Lebron enters the arena. Everyone erupts in shouts and applause. Every time Bronny touches the ball during the game? The Cal fans boo relentlessly. Fader comments,

[Bronny James] isn’t booed for just a possession or two. He’s booed the entire game. At one point late in the second half, when the game is close, the crowd chants: ‘Dad-dy’s Mon-ey!’ It’s a sad, disorienting scene, the same fans who cheered for Lebron so exuberantly so callously jeering at his son. As if the two aren’t blood. As if the two aren’t just people.

The Nazareth Principle, anyone? Are not these reactions from the crowds reminiscent of Holy Week? The week that started out so well (“Hosanna!”) yet ended so horrifically (“Crucify Him!”)? They thought they’d see one thing, but got something else. They wanted their version of the Father. They got the Son instead. Yes, the misplaced and unfair expectations were rampant with Jesus. Obviously, Bronny bears a similar (though much smaller) burden.

2. Bronny’s Character and Humility Can’t Be Criticized

If you’re looking for dirt on Bronny, apparently you will be looking in vain. According to Fader, “Not once has he lashed out at his critics or at overzealous fans on social media. There are no viral clips of him slipping in some way. Doing anything controversial.” Likewise, his work ethic in practice gives no indication that he wears a badge of entitlement. Bronny’s coach, Andy Enfield said, “His teammates love playing with him, and he just fits in so well as a person.” Fader adds,

Enfield says he appreciates how Bronny shows up to practice each day motivated to push himself. ‘He wants to become a great player,’ Enfield says. Bronny doesn’t do drills half-heartedly. He encourages his teammates and is often the first off the bench cheering and clapping when they make a good play. He walks around with a smile, and that rubs off on his teammates. ‘He has a very positive spirit about him,’ Enfield says. ‘An energetic personality. In the way that he carries himself, and that he plays every day. . . It’s very infectious.’

One might think that being the son of the “Chosen One” would bring with it an air of privilege. Surely there is something out there that we thirsty-for-gossip onlookers can grab a hold of and bring for accusation. Don’t tell me there’s not a tiny bit of a “I’m Lebron’s son” posture. Alas, nothing. Early in the article, Fader states Bronny “hasn’t asked for the spotlight … he doesn’t do interviews. He doesn’t want the attention. He hardly posts on social media … those around him mention his unwavering humility.” If given the opportunity, it seems that Bronny would wash his teammates feet in practice as if he were a servant, not the son of a king.

3. Bronny’s #1 Fan Has His Back

Consider this excerpt from Fader:

Lebron seems to share a moment with Bronny toward the end of the Cal game. With less than seven minutes left in the back-and-forth contest, Bronny catches the ball and fakes to one wing, giving himself cushion to release a 3.

He misses. Short.

James stands up, catching Bronny’s eyes. Lebron pretends to shoot an imaginary ball, cupping his fingers down after the release with emphasis, as if to say: Keep shooting.

Bronny nods. For a second, it is as if there were just the two of them, in their own world, speaking their own language … The boos are a faded memory. In this moment, nothing else matters but them. Their love. They are the only two people who can truly understand the weight of expectation each carries, the impossibility of carrying it. But here they are, not MVP and prospect, just father and son, sharing a beat.

Blocking everything out to connect with his father? It’s almost as if Fader is writing commentary on passages from the Gospels. “In this moment, nothing else matters but them. Their love. They are the only two people who can truly understand the weight of expectations each carries, the impossibility of carrying.” Am I reading a preacher expound a passage from Mark, or a sports writer comment on Bronny? I can’t tell.

Perhaps this sheds a bit of light on how Bronny has handled the pressure. Perhaps it sheds light on how we, too, can combat the pressure to be enough. Ziaire Williams, an NBA player and close friend of Bronny said, “I don’t know what I would do if I was in his position … He’s not even worried about it — or he doesn’t even see it; to be honest. He just — he blinds it so well.” Maybe he’s so “blind” to it due to the security he has in being his father’s beloved son? Maybe, as Fader writes, “nothing else matters but them. Their love.” I don’t know. But if so — that, in and of itself, will preach.

Is Bronny James a type of Jesus? No. Is Bronny supposed to “point us to Christ” as a moral example to follow? Certainly not. But might we grasp a better understanding (ever so small) of the life of Jesus from this “god-like” father and his highly anticipated son? I think so. Might this help us better grasp the kind of world, pressure, and expectations Jesus wandered into when he arrived on the scene? Maybe. Can the example of King James and the calm, cool, collected, and “expectation-smashing” son push us to be secure in our own love from the Father? Without a doubt.

Kind of makes me want to pull for him, hoping he ascends to his father’s throne-like status.

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