benz game Bronny James discusses challenges after cardiac scare

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James looks on before an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

free slot play

ORLANDO, Florida — The final buzzer sounded Saturday, the South Bay Lakers had won a game and Bronny James seemed completely at ease.

Big smile. Handshakes with everyone. Even did a little dance step as he got to the bench.

Article continues after this advertisement

LeBron James’ oldest son made his peace long ago with the realization that he’s going to be judged differently because of who his father is. Bronny James insists that doesn’t bother him, saying Saturday at the G League Winter Showcase that he looks at the game differently — and still with some challenges — after suffering cardiac arrest on July 24, 2023.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS PBA: Hong Kong nips San Miguel in OT SPORTS Now in PBA, Adrian Nocum finally gets one back vs NCAA rivals SPORTS PBA: Rain or Shine gathers wits in time to stretch streak to four READ: Bronny James only playing in G League home games

“I’ve become resilient over these past couple of years fighting through injuries, mental illness, stuff like that,” James said. “Just, you know, coming in and working every day and staying the course.”

The mental challenge, he said, stems largely from the scare of that day 17 months ago.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Trying to get past that,” James said. “It’s difficult, but I’m trying to work at it every day.”

Article continues after this advertisement

He suffered cardiac arrest during a practice session at the University of Southern California and needed a procedure to fix what eventually was diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, then missed several months of basketball while recovering. The NBA cleared him to participate fully in the league back in May, and the Los Angeles Lakers — his father’s team — drafted him with the 55th overall pick in June, eventually signing him to a four-year, $7.9 million contract.

In a statement on Monday, GSIS said the transport hub dubbed as ‘Project Hub’, will be located at the corner of the Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue.

The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents the employees, is negotiating a new contract with the Oakland-based health giant. It said the strikers demand Kaiser hire more people to ease the burden put on the current staff.

Article continues after this advertisement

Bronny James has appeared in seven games with the NBA’s Lakers, making history by being part of the first on-court father-son duo in league history, and has spent time in the G League as well to continue his development. The Lakers have made no secret that James is a work in progress, and the 20-year-old doesn’t hide from that reality either.

“He’s got a lot of attention on him,” South Bay teammate Devonte’ Graham — a veteran of more than 300 NBA games — told ESPN in a televised postgame interview. “He knows how to deal with it. I think he’s been playing good.”

Article continues after this advertisement READ: Bronny James feels love from Cleveland, scores first NBA points

James’ final numbers Saturday: six points, seven assists, four rebounds and a steal on 3-for-7 shooting in 25 minutes in South Bay’s 120-104 victory over the Osceola Magic. The athleticism was on full display at times — he twice went into traffic for rebounds, simply going over the maze of people to emerge with the ball.

“I’m just showing up every day, trying to get better every day, trying to learn every day and playing my game every day,” James said. “And I feel like that’s what is getting me to have fun and enjoy this sport that I love every day.”

He wondered in the immediate aftermath of the heart episode if he would be able to play the game, and there were plenty of doubters — and naysayers — when he was drafted after averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his only college season.

The noise from the outside, he said, “flies in one ear and out the other.” He is just happy to be playing, whether it’s on a makeshift court inside an Orlando convention center on a Saturday afternoon or on the bright lights of the NBA stage.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“My family, my parents, they are extremely thankful that I’m not only able to play basketball but also just walk around and speak to other peoplebenz game,” James said. “It’s a blessing to be able to play this sport that I love. There’s a chance I wasn’t going to be able to. So, I wake up and I’m thankful for that every day.”

READ NEXT Liverpool routs Spurs 6-3 to take 4-point lead into Christmas NBA: Rockets beat Raptors for first win in Toronto since 2019 EDITORS' PICK DOLE reminds employers: Give 13th month pay before Christmas 7 new K-pop songs to lift your holiday spirits Fake PWD IDs ‘trivialize’ plight of people with disabilities – CHR NBA: Pacers surge in 2nd half to rout Kings for 4th straight win Tolentino: 7,000 Mindanao farmers receive P289M debt condonation IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MMFF 2024’s biggest stars and their most defining films MOST READ Reassignment of Comelec officers under threat up to their discretion BFAR plane tells Chinese Navy: ‘Review your chart!’ Ombudsman suspends 2 Batangas town execs over grave misconduct complaint Chavit Singson launches own digital bank, eyes 20M users Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments