Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have known each other since childhood—now the German has told a “completely crazy” story about “Elite Fitness as the price of admission”: How Bronny is fighting for his place with the Lakers
Bronny James is the most famous 55th pick in NBA history – as the son of LeBron and part of the league’s first father-son duo, he has been in the spotlight from the start. But unlike his father, the 20-year-old prefers to avoid the big stage and is working hard away from the cameras to be taken seriously as a player.
When Bronny James came off the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24, 2024, he made history – for the first time, father and son stood together on the court in an NBA game. But for Bronny himself, the moment was not the highlight that many saw it as. “I never watched the game,” he says in retrospect. “I only watch good performances – when I actually get minutes.”
In truth, this historic appearance was just the start of a year full of challenges. Only 181 minutes in 27 NBA games, temporary setbacks in the G League, and constant pressure from outside. Bronny James has gotten used to being underestimated – and to every move he makes being scrutinized. It’s no coincidence that JJ Redick still has him on his radar.
Lessons learned in Philly – and a coach who believes in him
His low point came on January 28 in Philadelphia. After a strong G League performance, Bronny suddenly found himself in the Lakers’ rotation, but fell brutally with 0 for 5 from the field and three turnovers. Tyrese Maxey took him apart defensively, and the media pounced on him. Redick publicly took responsibility – but internally, James knew that this was his “welcome to the NBA” moment.
After that, it was back to the South Bay Lakers. There, coach Zach Guthrie came up with an unusual plan: he handed James the ball permanently – with the clear instruction to learn to take responsibility and, above all, to defend. “You’re the point guard. We live and die by your decisions,” Guthrie said. The plan worked: Bronny finished the season with an average of 22.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in his last seven games.
The body as the biggest challenge
But as much as his game grew, his body continued to present Bronny with problems. Since his cardiac arrest in the summer of 2023, his immune system has been sensitive and his conditioning has been repeatedly interrupted. This was also the case this summer, when illness kept him out of training for a week before the California Classic. His fitness suffered as a result, the team did not play him in the opening game in San Francisco, and he was limited to a few minutes in the second game.
JJ Redick sees this as the biggest obstacle on the road to the NBA rotation: “He has to be in top shape. His fitness is the price of admission. If he pays that, he has what it takes to become a really strong player.“ Redick compares him to Davion Mitchell of the Miami Heat or his former teammate T.J. McConnell of the Indiana Pacers – ”small” guards who influence games with their relentless intensity at both ends of the court.
“They’re present in every single possession – whether offensive or defensive – they influence the game with their commitment,” says Redick. “With pressure on the ball, with disruption, with the ability to get to the basket… I think we’ve all seen those impressive moments from Bronny. To be able to do that consistently, he needs one thing above all else: endurance.”
In training, James now works on his fundamentals every day: sprints, interval sessions, targeted shooting (105 shots per session, goal: 80 hits), ice baths, sleep discipline. His fitness is “like a 401(k),” according to G League coach Zach Guthrie – you have to invest every day, even when there are setbacks. Physical fitness is the key to everything, and Bronny has long recognized that.
The silent fighter
What sets Bronny apart is his realistic view of what he has to achieve – and his aversion to the hype that surrounds him. While his father LeBron jets around the world and makes headlines with Bad Bunny and speedboats, Bronny calmly says, “I don’t like Summer League. I like the games, but I don’t like Vegas. After the tournament, I just don’t want to do anything.”
His teammates recognize this focus. Gabe Vincent describes him as a team player with bite: “You can tell he’s lost something — the game. And when you get it back, you fight differently.”
It remains to be seen whether Bronny James will find a permanent role in the Lakers’ rotation. But unlike many other draft picks with celebrity status, he’s writing his story with hard work rather than words. He’s not where he wants to be yet – but he’s on his way.
his former teammates
Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have known each other since childhood, not just from their time together at Mercedes. “We were best friends back then and always went on vacation together,” Rosberg recalls to Sky Sports F1. “He was always at my parents’ house.”
The two young talents did a lot together, and there almost always had to be an engine involved: “Lewis was really crazy, completely crazy,” laughs the 2016 world champion, who suddenly reminisces about his childhood: “I remember once we went jet skiing together.”
“I was sitting behind him on the same jet ski. I took off so hard, I flew off with full force,” Rosberg smiles. “After that, we rode two separate stand-up jet skis. I saw him jump off a huge wave caused by a ferry.”
Lewis Hamilton hits his chin and bleeds
“He didn’t even take his foot off the gas. I’ve never seen anyone fly so high in the air.” But the risky stunt had consequences: “He came back down with full force and hit his chin when he landed on the jet ski,” said Rosberg.
Hamilton was “half unconscious,” said the former Formula 1 driver, who now works as a TV expert in the premier class. “I had to go and see if he was okay. His chin was slashed open. Completely crazy…”
Rosberg and Hamilton not only experienced turbulent times in their youth, but also as teammates at Mercedes, where things sometimes got heated. However, their close friendship was increasingly strained by their sporting rivalry, which even led to a collision in Spain.
It was only after Rosberg retired from Formula 1, immediately after winning the title in 2016, that the relationship gradually relaxed again. And today? “We live in the same house, so we see each other from time to time,” Rosberg reveals. “We now have a very pleasant, mutual relationship.”
