Bronny James’ short tenure as an NBA player has been about headlines more than his on court abilities. Yes, he and his legendary father LeBron James checking into the game together was a beautiful moment. However, it’s time to move past that and focus on proving that he’s good enough to be in the pros.
Recent reports out of G League team the South Bay Lakers have added more controversy onto James’ short career. According to ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, the USC alum will reportedly only play in home games for the team, avoiding commercial flights and staying with teammates in mid-range hotels like the Courtyard Marriott.
On “The Hoop Collective” podcast, Windhorst seemed more concerned with how this sort of part-time schedule would affect Bronny’s development. He explained that some of the nepotism Bronny has received is “normal,: but this decision is “detrimental” to the rookie. You can see his thoughts in the video beginning around the 22 minute mark.
“On this particular instance, I think that’s gone too far, and I don’t think that benefits Bronny, I don’t think it benefits the South Bay Lakers and I don’t think it benefits LeBron at that point,” Windhorst said.
As you would expect, the reactions to the son of a world famous basketball player receiving this kind of special treatment were not good. Before we get to the backlash, we do need to point out that some NBA insiders are claiming this is about security, not James not wanting to travel with teammates.
On Tuesday’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN’s Shams Charania noted that the young star has a level of celebrity status that his teammates don’t and that could cause unexpected problems. He also explained that the Lakers organization wants him to “shuttle back and forth, spend as much time on the active roster as possible.”
“I don’t know if it’s a security thing, but there’s a different level of fanfare when he’s on the road for these G League games, a different level of everything when he’s with that G League team,” Charania said.
The most biting criticism came from ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark on “The Pivot” podcast. The former Pittsburgh Steelers player thinks the new Laker should be begging the organization, head coach JJ Reddick and his father to let him go on the road and find his own path, so he can prove to himself that he belongs in the league.
“The pros isn’t about where you came from, how you were raised, what your parents had. Professional sports is about how well you can contribute. And you don’t get treated differently because of your parents, you get treated differently because of your ability to contribute,” Clark said.
This didn’t go over well on social media, where NBA fans already have problems with Bronny’s privilege.
Someone wondered if this is really about his playing ability, writing on X, “That tells a lot about his real level of basketball. Was he really a promising talent? His little brother is. His dad was. I’m glad he likes the game of basketball. But it seems like the game doesn’t like him.”
One person pointed out how ridiculous this all is, but isn’t blaming the kid, writing, “Bronny James Jr and LeBron are a JOKE At this point I was and Still am rooting for Bronny But this SPECIAL TREATMENT Is such a JOKE!!”
From the day he started bouncing a basketball, Bronny James has been stuck in his father’s shadow. That will probably never change, but the only way he can truly know what he’s made of as a player is to just be one of the guys. The security concerns are understandable, but how do you know if they’re insurmountable if you don’t even try. Yes, paparazzi will likely always pop up, but once he’s on the road, in the grind, maybe it won’t be as difficult as the team thinks.
Frankly, everyone needs to take a step back and just treat this kid like every other second round rookie, so he can evolve his game and grow into a proper NBA player.