NBA opening night is supposed to be all about the stars—the Knicks, the 76ers, the bright lights of the season tip-off. But leave it to comedian Tracy Morgan to steal the spotlight with a jab that had everyone talking before the ball even bounced.
During NBC's pregame show ahead of the Knicks-76ers matchup, Morgan, a lifelong Knicks fan, was asked for his takes on the league. Instead of breaking down X's and O's, he decided to take a swing at a player who wasn't even on the court that night: Bronny James.
“Bronny look like he got JUCO ball written all over him,” Morgan told the crew of Carmelo Anthony, Maria Taylor, and Tracy McGrady. The comment landed like a hammer, and within minutes, social media was buzzing with reactions—some laughing, some defending the young Laker.
Bronny, the son of LeBron James, was a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Last season, he averaged just 2.9 points and 1.2 assists per game for the Lakers, and his rookie year was more about development than dominance. This preseason, he struggled, shooting poorly and failing to make a strong impression in limited minutes.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been candid about Bronny's early struggles. “I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us. I don’t think he’s played well in the four preseason games, but he’s had good practices,” Redick said. He added that some of the issues stem from the lineups Bronny has been playing with, noting that he's often been paired with big men and new teammates like Rafael Castro, which hasn't set him up for success.
Despite the rough preseason, Bronny remains on the Lakers' roster for the 2025-26 season, though his role is expected to be minimal. The team is focused on contending for a championship, and Bronny will likely spend much of his time developing in the G League or riding the bench.
Morgan's joke isn't the first time a celebrity has taken a shot at a young player, but it does highlight the pressure Bronny faces as the son of one of the greatest players ever. Every miss, every bad game, becomes a headline. And now, a comedian's one-liner adds to the noise.
The Lakers open their season on Wednesday against the Warriors, and Bronny will likely be on the bench, watching from the sideline. But the spotlight on him isn't going away anytime soon—especially with jokes like Morgan's circulating online.
For more on the Lakers' season and Bronny's development, check out Redick's honest assessment of Bronny. And for a look at other broadcast moments that had fans talking, see Troy Aikman's body language drama from Monday night's game.
