Bronny James has officially suited up for both the Los Angeles Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, during this NBA season. While it may seem like a positive opportunity for the young guard to gain experience, the Lakers are now facing criticism for how they are managing Bronny’s development.
Questions are being raised about whether their approach is truly beneficial for his growth as a player.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst recently reported that the Lakers plan to limit Bronny to playing only in G League home games, a decision that has sparked controversy. Windhorst stated, “He’s only going to kind of be a part-time G League player, and he’s not getting on United Airlines and going to fly to play these road games.”
This strategy has left some wondering whether the organization is overly protective of the rookie guard, potentially hindering his development by limiting his opportunities to experience the full rigor of professional basketball.
On a recent edition of “The Pivot Podcast,” ESPN analyst Ryan Clark openly questioned the Lakers’ decision to restrict Bronny from traveling with the South Bay Lakers on road games. Clark believes that, considering Bronny’s need for playing time to develop his skills, keeping him from traveling is a questionable choice.
“What has Bronny James done that he shouldn’t be able to stay at the Courtyard Marriott? You say, well, they fly commercial,” Clark said. “What has Bronny James done where he should be too good to fly commercial? The pros isn’t about where you came from, how you were raised, or what your parents had. Professional sports is about how well you can contribute. You don’t get treated differently because of your parents. You get treated differently because of how you contribute.”
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Clark went on to emphasize the importance of experiencing the same challenges as his teammates in order to truly grow as a player. “If I’m Bronny James, I’m begging Rich Paul, I’m begging JJ Redick, I’m begging my father—please let me travel with this team. Please let me stay at the Courtyard Marriott. Please let me fly commercial. Please let me go somewhere where I can get more than six shots in three games to not only prove it to my organization that I’m worthy of being on this team, but to my damn self.” Clark’s passionate comments highlight the belief that Bronny needs the full experience of being a professional athlete, including the grind of travel and adapting to different environments.
Clark’s concerns are not isolated. Brian Windhorst also voiced his reservations regarding the Lakers’ approach. While he acknowledged that Bronny is receiving a level of special treatment and nepotism, Windhorst pointed out that it might ultimately be doing more harm than good. “I know he’s getting somewhat special treatment and nepotism,” Windhorst said. “That’s fine. Honestly, I don’t care. Like I said, it’s normal. Now, I think it’s actually detrimental to him. I don’t like that.”
The early returns from Bronny’s G League appearances haven’t been overly impressive so far. In the South Bay Lakers’ season opener, Bronny scored just six points. In his second G League outing, he managed four points on 2-of-10 shooting.
These numbers have only fueled the debate on whether the current strategy is helping or hindering his potential growth.
Critics of the Lakers’ decision argue that limiting Bronny’s playing time and exposure to the challenges of full-time G League participation could negatively impact his ability to develop into an effective NBA player.
The experience of traveling with the team, adapting to the varying conditions of road games, and building chemistry with teammates are all crucial parts of a young player’s growth.
By denying Bronny these experiences, the Lakers may be inadvertently slowing his progress and shielding him from the realities of professional basketball.
Only time will tell whether Bronny James can overcome these early obstacles and develop into a quality NBA player.
For now, the scrutiny surrounding the Lakers’ handling of his rookie year continues, with many hoping that adjustments will be made to better support his growth. Bronny’s journey is still in its infancy, and the decisions made now could have a lasting impact on the trajectory of his career.
Whether the Lakers’ protective approach proves wise or misguided remains to be seen, but it’s clear that fans and analysts alike are eager to see Bronny be given the opportunity to prove himself on his own terms.
