Alleged hot-mic moment captures Lakers great James Worthy shading Bronny James
Lakers legend James Worthy allegedly had some harsh words for the organization in a leaked video bashing Bronny James.
Worthy — a former three-time champion NBA forward-turned broadcaster for Spectrum SportsNet, the Lakers’ network — fell victim to a hot-mic moment prior to JJ Redick’s introductory press conference as the Lakers’ new head coach on Monday, according to LakersDaily.com.
The Basketball Hall of Famer allegedly was heard chastising the organization for how they reconstructed their roster and assessing LeBron James’ son while talking with his media crew after Monday’s show, per a video posted on social media by a Lakers fan account.
James Worthy and the Lakers media crew accidentally were caught unfiltered after their show 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/wKfaTl0mik
— 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 (@SixthManJake) June 25, 2024
James Worthy attends a ceremony celebrating Michael Cooper’s induction into the basketball hall of fame at Crypto.com Arena on April 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
Bronny James shoots a free throw during the 2024 NBA basketball Draft Combine in Chicago, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. AP
“Who we gonna be waiting for on the second day?” Worthy allegedly said.
“Dude just wait until you have to f–king talk about it that night,” someone else was heard saying. “It’s going to hit, it’s going to hurt us.”
The voice believed to be Worthy replied sarcastically: “Well, he’s the greatest young player ever right now, that’s Bronny — that’s what I’m gonna say.”
Bronny James talks to media during the 2024 NBA basketball Draft Combine in Chicago, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. AP
LeBron James and his wife Savannah Brinson watch Bronny James participate in the 2024 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 15, 2024. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The other person was then heard saying it’s “crazy” that the Lakers are on their third head coach in five years.
“Then they got the right coaches in there. So they did it right… They took their time,” Worthy allegedly said. “They waited, while we were trading [Brandon] Ingram, [Julius] Randle… Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gone, brotha up in Sacramento, Malik [Monk] gone… then we weren’t getting anything for it. [Russell] Westbrook gone.
“… So, the ink will lead back to the problem, which is in that infrastructure.”
James, who missed the beginning of his freshman year at USC after he suffered cardiac arrest during a practice last July, went unselected on Day 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft, which took place at Barclays Center on Wednesday.
It wasn’t a surprise to many as the 19-year-old guard was projected to likely go off the board in the second round.
James wasn’t in attendance at the draft during the first round.
However, his agent, Rich Paul, whom represents a number of athletes in this year’s draft, was present.
The Post reached out to Spectrum SportsNet for comment.