LeBron James on fan who threw something at son during game: ‘It’s just disrespectful’
BOSTON – Upon learning a young fan threw something at his son, Bronny James, at a high school basketball game in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Monday, LeBron James called the act disrespectful.
“I did not see it until I got here actually,” James said following Boston’s 139-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. “I was at the complete opposite end of the floor. I did see the referee stop the game or stop the in-bounds and a cop came up there. But I didn’t know what happened until the video evidence shown to me today when I got here.
“I mean it’s just disrespectful, and it was a little kid, too. I don’t know how old that little kid was. I don’t know if he learned that on his own or he learned that at home or whatever the case may be, but it’s disrespectful. I wonder how old that kid is, if he was around Bronny’s age or Bryce’s age.”
Following the game, Bronny James’ teammate, Ziaire Williams, told reporters, “You’d be surprised by all the stuff Bronny has to go through. It’s not fair, but he doesn’t let it faze him at all. I’m learning how to be more like that from him and he’s younger than me.”
James confirmed his son does indeed go through things because of who his dad is, but James said his son handles it well for a 14-year-old high school freshman, whose Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) lost to Paul IV (Fairfax, Virginia) at the HoopHall Classic.
“He’s cool, calm,” James said. “He’s better than his mom and dad. He is. He is better than his mom and dad at some of the things he lets off his shoulder. I guess he’s taken that from me too, because I let a lot of (expletive) go, too. But he’s a great kid, and most importantly, he just loves being around his teammates, being a great a kid, being a model citizen in the community and playing the game that he loves to play and being a big brother to his brother and sister.
“But that (expletive) earlier made me mad when I saw that.”
The Lakers’ game in Boston happened to coincide with Sierra Canyon’s game in Springfield, a 90-mile drive from Boston.
“I didn’t mind going down to Springfield to check the game out,” James said. “The only bad thing about today is I took two Ls. The James Gang took two Ls today. There’s always better days.”
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