Basketball fans got really angry about a simple statistic. FanDuel Sportsbook posted that Bronny James has made nine 3-pointers in his rookie season — the same number Michael Jordan did in his rookie year. Some fans didn’t like this comparison at all.
The post was supposed to be a fun fact, but it quickly blew up online. People couldn’t believe someone would compare James to the legendary Michael Jordan. While he is just starting his NBA journey, the reaction shows how much pressure he faces and how protective fans are of Jordan’s legacy.
Bronny James Ties Michael Jordan’s Rookie 3-Point Total
The comparison that got everyone talking was straightforward but stirred up strong feelings. Both James, in his 2024-25 rookie season, and Jordan, in his 1984-85 debut, made nine 3-pointers. But there’s a lot more to the story.
Jordan shot those nine 3s with a 17.3% success rate over 3,144 minutes of playing time in an era when 3-pointers weren’t a big part of the game. Despite this, he averaged an incredible 28.2 points per game, won Rookie of the Year, and made the All-NBA Second Team.
James, on the other hand, has had limited NBA minutes. He’s spent most of his time in the NBA G League, where he’s done well, averaging 21.9 points and shooting 38% from downtown in 11 games with the South Bay Lakers.
The stat might be true, but fans were quick to point out the huge difference in their overall rookie impact. While Jordan immediately established himself as a star, James is still finding his way while carrying the weight of his famous last name.
Fan Reactions to the James-Jordan Comparison
The response was immediate. One fan bluntly replied to the post: “Don’t ever compare these two again…” This captured what many basketball purists felt — that putting James in the same conversation as the six-time champion Jordan was disrespectful to MJ’s unmatched legacy.
Don’t ever compare these two again…
— B🛰️ (@Briannpichardo) April 13, 2025
Similarly, another user didn’t hold back, saying: “You still have time to delete this!” Their comment underscored a strong disapproval of the post, suggesting it was a misstep that could damage credibility.
It also reveals how tough it is to be in James’ position. Everything he does gets picked apart because of who his dad is, the legendary LeBron James. Maybe we should just let Bronny be Bronny and see where his career goes without all these comparisons. Not everyone needs to be the next Jordan — being yourself is tough enough in the NBA.