‘It Was Safer to Ride with Mom’: Ken Griffey Jr. Reveals Shocking Advice to Bronny James

From the moment Bronny James stepped onto the hardwood alongside his father LeBron James, the eyes of fans and media were fixed on him. As a rookie navigating the NBA, Bronny has had to handle expectations, comparisons, and plenty of pressure. Amid all of that, Ken Griffey Jr.—himself part of a historical father‑son duo in MLB—offered Bronny some rare, grounded advice. Griffey’s words are helping shape how Bronny can grow and develop, both on and off the court.

Bronny’s Rookie Season & Historic Father‑Son Moment

Earlier this season, Bronny James made history by joining LeBron as the first father‑son duo to play together in an NBA game. That milestone came on Opening Night, October 22, 2024, when the Los Angeles Lakers stepped onto the court together. To many, it echoed the legacy of Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who made MLB history with the Seattle Mariners in 1990.

Griffey Jr. was at Crypto.com Arena that night, among those witnessing Bronny’s NBA debut with LeBron. Being there as both fan and former athlete, Griffey saw parallels and pitfalls and felt compelled to share what he had learned by doing something very similar decades earlier.

Griffey Jr.’s Advice: Be You, Relax, Enjoy It

On the episode of Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr. opened up about what he told Bronny just prior to that night. His advice was simple, sincere, and deeply rooted in his own experience. Griffey said:

“I did tell Bronny to just relax, enjoy it, be you. You are not gonna be him. Nobody is him.”

He also shared a memory from his own time playing alongside his father:

“When I got there, my dad told me that this is your team, I am just here. And he was dad at the house and teammate at the ballpark. But like I said, there were times that I rode home with Mom. It was much safer… You’re gonna learn a lot by being able to sit there and be on the bench watching him.”

These words reflect both recognition of the burden that comes with being the son of arguably one of the greatest players in basketball history, and faith in what Bronny can absorb by simply observing, learning, and growing.

Why Griffey Jr. Resonates With Bronny’s Situation

Griffey Jr.’s perspective comes with unique weight. He, too, was thrust into a stage where his parent was a star. He played alongside Ken Griffey Sr. in the early 1990s—first father‑son duo in MLB history. The comparisons between Griffey Jr. and his father were intense, and Griffey has openly discussed how being himself amid those expectations was essential.

In Bronny’s case, LeBron James is one of the most scrutinized, successful, and visible players ever. Bronny is a second‑round draft pick, learning both through G League assignments and time on the main Lakers roster. His opportunities to practice with stars, watch high level games, and absorb LeBron’s habits are powerful parts of his development.

Development & Growth: On‑Ball Focus and Real Play Time

Ken Griffey Jr.’s counsel dovetails with what Bronny James himself said after Summer League 2025. Bronny emphasized that he’s working hard to improve his on‑ball game: bringing the ball up, playing point guard when needed, and getting reps handling the ball. He acknowledged that being good “off the ball” will follow when his confidence with the ball is strong.

Bronny said:

“Keeping working on my game on ball, all the stuff off ball will just flow. But if I’m consistently confident in bringing the ball up, knowing my role and being able to play the 1 when it’s needed, I think I’ll be good. Because I don’t really have any problem playing off the ball if I need to. So just getting those reps over and over again of me having the ball in my hand most of the time is really good for my development.”

That mindset matches Griffey Jr.’s advice: focus on being yourself, find your role, observe, learn, and evolve.

Fans, Critics & The G League Debate

Public feedback on Bronny’s rookie season has been mixed. Some fans argue he needs more G League time to develop touches and confidence; others believe his growth will come through consistent bench time and practice with the Lakers’ main roster.

Ken Griffey Jr. weighed in on that debate, highlighting what he learned simply by watching his own father from the bench. He suggested that time observing, absorbing team culture, and seeing how stars practice can be just as instructive as actual minutes in the G League. While a young player still needs game experience, Griffey seems to champion the value of “being there” in high‑pressure environments.

Why This Advice Matters for Bronny’s Long‑Term Trajectory

The NBA is unforgiving. For sons of legends, the margin for error feels tiny. Bronny James is facing comparisons from the moment he steps into the gym, from the media, from fans. Ken Griffey Jr.’s advice gives Bronny a mental framing: step out of the shadow, embrace learning, but don’t collapse under expectations of being “LeBron James Jr.”

Having this mindset early may protect Bronny’s confidence and allow him to experiment, take risks, and heal from mistakes. It may also help when situations get tough—injuries, limited minutes, or performance slumps. Having external voices like Griffey Jr., plus his father’s support, gives Bronny anchors beyond the stat sheet.

Historical Echoes: Griffey Jr. & His Own Journey

Ken Griffey Jr. didn’t become a legend overnight. He was once a young man trying to play with his father on a professional stage. He faced expectations, comparisons, and pressure. But learning patience, understanding his role, and accepting that the path is unique helped him forge his own legacy—one defined not by being “just someone’s son,” but being himself with excellent skill, passion, and consistency.

In that sense, Griffey Jr.’s message to Bronny James is less about ignoring the legacy, and more about steering wisely within it. Recognizing you’re not going to be your predecessor, but still embracing opportunities to observe, learn, and grow.

What Bronny Already Brings to the Table

Even early in his career, Bronny James has shown glimpses of potential. His time in the G League has given him live game experience. He’s worked during Summer League to gain confidence with the ball. He has a unique environment: daily access to arguably one of the greatest players ever, exposure to elite competition, and voices like Ken Griffey Jr. encouraging him to find his own path.

Bronny’s mindset—focused on hard work, embracing discomfort, taking on roles, and growing slowly—reflects awareness. He seems to recognize that it will take repetition, patience, and accepting both criticism and praise.

Conclusion: Relax, Enjoy, Be You

Ken Griffey Jr.’s advice to Bronny James is deceptively simple: “Relax, enjoy it, be you. You are not gonna be him. Nobody is him.” These words cut through much of the hype and stress surrounding being the son of a superstar. Griffey adds that much of the growth comes from observation—“sitting there watching him”—more than from rushing to perform.

For Bronny James, that means every bench moment, every practice, every game played—even when limited—is part of a foundation. The road ahead will have challenges. But with voices like Ken Griffey Jr. in his corner, he has reminders that greatness often begins with humility and patience.

In a league built on comparisons and legacy, the strongest statement may come from simply being yourself. And that may be the best advice Bronny James could receive.