LeBron James Claims Bronny James Criticism Has No Impact: 'Doesn't Give A F***'

Bronny James doesn't care one bit what people think of him, according to his father.

LeBron James' oldest son was drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in the draft, and the move sparked backlash. A guy who couldn't even average five points a game and shot an abysmal 36.6% from the floor has no business playing in the NBA.

Yet, the Lakers handed Bronny a guaranteed contract that will pay him an NBA salary even if he's in the G League. It's nepotism at his finest.

Bronny James will make millions and play in the NBA simply because the Lakers want to keep his dad happy. It's that simple.

LeBron James claims Bronny James doesn't listen to critics.

Well, LeBron James wants people to know that criticizing his son for being a nepo baby and not belonging in the NBA isn't something that impacts Bronny.

"I don't know if people really understand Bronny. He doesn't care. I actually care a little bit. When I came in [as a rookie], I wanted people to like me, and some of the things that people were saying about me kind of bothered me early on in my career. ... He doesn't give a f*ck. He does not care about nobody. He doesn't even listen to that stuff. He's like the coolest. He's like the complete opposite of his dad. His dad will say something [to address the critics]. Bro does not care. ... Everything that's being said about him, he really does not care," the four-time NBA champion told ESPN during a Sunday interview.

LeBron also praised Bronny for putting in real effort to succeed in sports when many wealthy kids might not have.

He further told ESPN the following:

"Just imagine if you were a kid, you were born into a situation where your dad was super famous, super wealthy and you the kid still had the drive to want to be able to accomplish things for yourself. I personally don't know if I would've been able to do that if the roles were reversed. When I was coming up, I had no choice. I literally had no choice. ... I had to make it out for me. My mom, my family, my hometown, my city. Bronny has all the choices in the world. If Bronny wants to stop right now or never played basketball or just wanted to be a gamer or wanted to be a chef or wanted to be nothing to whatever, he could have done that. ... People don't understand how hard that is and the commitment for him to be coming out of heart surgery less than a year ago, for him to be able to be in the NBA, the kid, he's special. But he doesn't care. He doesn't. It doesn't bother him."

Bronny James doesn't listen to critics, LeBron James claims. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

It's hard to take these comments very seriously when Bronny James didn't earn a spot in the NBA. Has he put in some effort? I'm sure he has, and it's always worth applauding someone putting in the work. However, that doesn't erase the fact the only reason Bronny James is in the NBA is because of who he was born to.

There are plenty of people working hard who don't reach the pinnacle of their respective field. The real world has very few handouts, and sports is supposed to be the ultimate meritocracy.

Yet, Bronny James bypassed all that to go to the front of the line with a guaranteed deal.

LeBron James praises Bronny's work ethic. (Photo by Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images)

Maybe Bronny James will turn into a great NBA player. Anything is possible, but as of right now, there's no evidence to suggest that will happen. Let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.