LeBron James Fires Back at MVP Talk, Clears Air on Brown

Even after scoring more than 43,000 career points, LeBron James still hears everything. Following a tough 111-89 loss, the Lakers star addressed his relationship with Jaylen Brown and the viral comments Brown once made about his son, Bronny James.

For the first time publicly, James spoke about the 2024 Summer League moment when Brown appeared to question whether Bronny was ready for the NBA.

James said after the game that he and Brown have generally maintained a respectful dynamic. However, he admitted the Summer League remarks about Bronny were an exception that he hasn’t completely forgotten.

The comment drew laughs, but it was clear James hadn’t forgotten.

Still, he made sure to say there’s no bad blood between them.

James continued by saying that aside from that moment, there’s no real issue between them and he believes everything is fine now. He noted that Brown later addressed the situation on social media, and added that while Bronny is still developing as a player, that’s a separate matter altogether.

The original clip showed Brown telling then-girlfriend Kysre Gondrezick, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro,” while watching a Summer League game.

The moment quickly went viral and sparked debate across social media.

Brown later addressed the backlash on X, writing that having your son play alongside you in the NBA “reflects greatness and longevity.” He added that Bronny has the tools to succeed and said he looks forward to watching his growth.

Bronny did not play in Sunday’s matchup, but his absence didn’t stop the questions.

Instead of escalating the drama, James shifted the focus to Brown’s performance this season.

And that’s where things got interesting.

James openly questioned why Brown isn’t receiving stronger consideration in the MVP race.

James questioned why Brown isn’t receiving more attention in the MVP conversation. He pointed out that few people expected much from him entering the season, yet he’s putting up close to 30 points per game, adding that MVP voting can sometimes feel driven by popularity rather than pure performance.

Brown is averaging 29.2 points per game this year.

That trails Luka Dončić at 33.0, while Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are widely viewed as top contenders.

But James believes Brown deserves more respect.

He pointed to the roster changes in Boston and how Brown has kept the team near the top of the Eastern Conference.

“You just use the motivation of people saying they’re going to have a down year,” James said, referencing the absence of Jayson Tatum and departures like Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis.

James emphasized that much of the title-winning roster has changed, yet Brown has managed to steady the team and keep them competitive.

Still, when asked if he was officially campaigning for Brown’s MVP case, James didn’t hold back.

“That’s not for me,” he said. “I don’t know the criteria of MVP anymore. I stopped giving a damn about it a long time ago. I’ve got my own personal issues about it.”

Many around the league believe James’ frustration ties back to his own history with the award, where he finished runner-up multiple times despite dominant seasons.

He may be at peace with Brown’s Summer League comments.

But when it comes to MVP voting? That still clearly strikes a nerve.

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