LeBron James' full 8-minute interview: Bronny will keep getting stronger, and Doncic is beyond an ordinary star

On January 31st Beijing time, the Lakers won big over the Wizards 142-111. LeBron logged 30 minutes, hitting 8 of 16 shots for 20 points, along with 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, including multiple emphatic dunks. His son Bronny also saw action, scoring 4 points and providing 1 assist, and he too threw down a dunk. After the game, a joyful LeBron spoke to the media for more than 8 minutes. Here is the full interview—

Reporter: LeBron, you started the game on fire tonight, making several impressive plays, especially those dunks that energized the crowd. I guess you must have liked Bronny’s dunk the most, right?

LeBron: Absolutely! I was going crazy for him on the bench. But honestly, he held back on that dunk, haha. Seriously though, I get incredibly excited about any achievement from my three kids and cheer for them with all my heart.

Reporter: When you saw that moment from the sidelines, how did it feel? Especially since you were playing well yourself tonight.

LeBron: Of course. Over the past few years, Bronny has worked hard to adjust to being a professional player. Whenever he gets minutes, he gives it his all despite limited playing time. Seeing him play so professionally, blend in with teammates, dunk, and make free throws makes me really proud — it’s an amazing feeling.

Reporter: Doncic recorded a triple-double in the first half. What does that say to you?

LeBron: He’s truly exceptional, already beyond the scope of ordinary stars.

Reporter: If Bronny’s dunk is number one, how would you rank your own dunks?

LeBron: Haha, I’ll leave that to my loyal fans to decide. I love those guys so much.

Reporter: Reddick joked that the league might call you to join the dunk contest because your dunks tonight were so spectacular.

LeBron: That’s not happening.

Reporter: You’ve watched the Wizards’ young players perform. How do you evaluate their potential?

LeBron: I believe the heart of the NBA is growth, opportunity, and confidence. Confidence comes from trust by coaches and teammates, while growth comes from game experience — after all, experience is the best teacher. With experience and confidence, you can consistently deliver the performance you want. Everyone in the NBA has talent; the key is how you use it.

Reporter: When Ayton puts up a performance like tonight’s (28 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks), how much does he elevate the team?

LeBron: Our job is to “feed” him, get the ball in his hands. Tonight he was very active, shooting 12 for 14, almost perfect inside the paint. He started full of energy, dunking a lot and grabbing many rebounds. When he secures rebounds, it opens up fast-break opportunities. He’s absolutely a key to our win.

Reporter: Over the past year and a half, Bronny has gained a lot of fan support, like tonight when people chanted “We want Bronny.” How do you think he handles this attention and pressure?

LeBron: I think he handles it with great class, dignity, and honor. He’s been around me since he was young and has seen big stages, so none of this is unfamiliar to him. You can ask any teammate or coach, and they only have praise for him. He trains very hard, and I believe his moment will come whenever that is — he’s ready. He’s improved a lot since last year and will continue to get stronger.

Reporter: As a father, how does it feel to see your son perform so well under the spotlight?

LeBron: It’s truly incredible. I know what he’s been through to get here, especially after that well-known heart incident at USC. I want to thank USC’s coaches, players, and medical staff — their care helped him return to the court. Now the Lakers have given him a chance, and he’s working hard to seize every opportunity and keep improving. Being his teammate over the past year and a half and witnessing all this means a lot to me.

Reporter: Some say your presence during your Heat and Cavaliers days blocked the Bulls and Derrick Rose’s championship hopes, similar to how players in the ’90s faced Jordan. What’s your take on that?

LeBron: Indeed, we had many intense battles with the Bulls. I have great respect for Rose, Noah, Gibson, and Hinrich, as well as the Bulls players I faced when I returned to Cleveland. Every time we played in Chicago, we had to give our all because Coach Thibodeau was constantly directing the team, and Rose charged the basket like a bulldozer. Their style was very tough. I really enjoyed competing against them.

Reporter: Last non-basketball question: What makes golf so special to you?

LeBron: That’s a good question. I love challenges, and golf is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The process of dedicating time and effort to master it brings me joy. Also, golf gives me rare moments of complete peace and no interruptions — you’re not allowed to be disturbed on the course. I enjoy being out there with nature, the greens, and the bunkers, and playing with friends. I also love watching golf tournaments, whether it’s the PGA Tour or videos online. It’s a cool sport, and I’m glad I finally got into it.