As the NBA season kicked off with the New York Knicks facing the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday evening, Bronny James, the Los Angeles Lakers guard, found himself the subject of some playful jabs prior to the game.
During an interview with the NBC Sports crew, comedian Tracy Morgan took a moment to call out Bronny on national television, saying, “Bronny looks like he’s got JUCO ball written all over him.”
Morgan is, after all, a passionate Knicks fan, and he watched his team take on Bronny’s father, LeBron James, who made his debut with the 76ers after switching from the Lakers in the summer.
Before shifting focus to Bronny, Morgan expressed confidence in the Knicks, declaring they are not “Scared of nobody.”
This comment on Bronny surfaced just after the Lakers had confirmed him on their opening night roster, opting for him over small forward Dalton Knecht, leading to some speculation in the sports community.
The decision was a close call, with both players missing Monday’s practice to facilitate the team’s final decisions. Both joined the NBA through the 2024 draft, with Knecht being a first-round pick for Los Angeles and Bronny selected in the second round.
Initially, Knecht was a regular in the Lakers’ starting rotation, but his performance dwindled after a series of injuries.
In terms of his own career, Bronny has had a fluctuating journey between the G League and the Lakers’ active roster. Last season, he appeared in 42 games, averaging 8.9 minutes, 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
This preseason, however, his output dipped, with only 11 points across five games and an average of 16.4 minutes of playtime. As the Lakers gear up for what seems to be a transitional year without LeBron, many see the upcoming 2026-2027 season as a pivotal one for Bronny.
The Lakers are set to begin their season against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, with the game tipping off at 7:00 p.m. PT.
