Perhaps Bronny James sent a card or some chocolates.
Dan Patrick took issue with James being absent from Luka Doncic’s press conference for his three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers on Saturday.
“Bronny James should’ve been there,” Patrick said on his self-titled show.. “You’re the last guy on the roster, you should be there. Show support.”
LeBron James was also noticeably absent, spending the weekend golfing with Bronny, while reportedly offering his congratulations on a FaceTime call with Doncic.
“LeBron was not there, although he Facetimed Luka … I’m guessing he knew this was going to happen, but okay, you’re on vacation,” Patrick said. “The one person I thought should be there is his son. Bronny James, if he wants to stay longer after LeBron leaves, that’s your teammate.
“That’s what was surprising. Bronny James should’ve been there.”
Per a video on X, LeBron and Bronny were golfing together on vacation somewhere on Sunday, a day following the extension announcement and press conference.
Patrick implied that Bronny can get away with not publicly showing his support for Doncic with LeBron still around, but that that won’t always be the case.
“It just felt like, ’Hey, my dad’s LeBron, we’ve got a vacation,’” Patrick continued. “That’s where you say, ‘Dad, that’s my team. That’s my teammate … I’m gonna cut short this vacation, I need to be there, I think it’s really important.’”
The sports personality also suggested that the whole situation is fitting for the petty offseason that LeBron and the Lakers have had.
James has posted workout videos in the Clippers’ facility, hinting at a Cleveland homecoming and has been in the mix of trade rumors.
The 21-time All-Star is rumored to want out of Los Angeles after his agent, Rich Paul, put out a statement regarding James accepting his $52.6 million player option in the offseason that also made a reference to wanting the team to build a championship roster.
James, who turns 41 in December, is reportedly monitoring Los Angeles’ moves to make sure that he’ll be able to compete for a championship this coming season.
Ultimately, Doncic is the one to decide if the absence even matters to him — but Patrick seems to think Bronny’s skipping is the wrong impression to make.
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