Bronny James may be the most scrutinized NBA rookie since his dad, LeBron James, entered the NBA in 2003. However, is the scrutiny and criticism justified?
Poor start
After being selected as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny has struggled to make an impact on the Los Angeles Lakers roster as the NBA season approaches.
Summer League
James’ first chance to make an impression was at the Las Vegas Summer League tournament against fellow rookies and G-League players. Unfortunately, he failed to make a substantial impact, averaging 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and one assist.
Slight improvement
After starting the Summer League with a measly eight and two points, Bronny finished the Las Vegas tournament with an improved 12 and 13 points, heading into the preseason with the actual Lakers roster.
Preseason
Since joining up with his dad, LeBron James, Bronny has played in six preseason games for the Los Angeles Lakers, and his numbers don’t support keeping him in the Lakers’ rotation.
Poor shooting
Bronny struggled significantly in his first three preseason games, shooting one of eleven from the field in 35 minutes. In his fourth game against Golden State, the 20-year-old played nine minutes, hitting one of five attempts from the field.
End of preseason
In his final two preseason games, Bronny scored four points in 17 minutes against Phoenix, before finishing the preseason with 17 points and four rebounds in a 132-74 blowout loss to Golden State.
Numbers don’t lie
Numbers don’t lie, and it’s clear that Bronny James is not ready to make the 15-man roster in Los Angeles. One former Laker believes he’s been allowed to ‘coast’ because his dad is LeBron James.
“He sucks”©Provided by Sports Unlimited News
According to Sports Illustrated, former number-one pick Kwame Brown said: “He’s not a very good shooter yet. He sucks. Well, he would have had a better go at it if he did those two things – run the floor for layups and get into the heart of the defense.”
“Would be cut”
“He doesn’t have an offensive rhythm right now, so be young. Nobody can control your ability to run. But I see a kid just coasting because he has a guaranteed contract. Anybody else in that position would be cut.”
A project©Provided by Sports Unlimited News
Undoubtedly, no other 55th pick has received more scrutiny or criticism than Bronny James. Before the draft, he was viewed as a project in which he would become the player they wanted him to be in a few years.
55th picks©Provided by Sports Unlimited News
According to AP News, the Lakers may have to cut their losses on Bronny James now because the odds of a 55th pick making any sizeable contribution to the NBA are incredibly slim.
Not looking promising
Only eleven of those picks have scored more than 100 points in the NBA, and 13 of the 30 have precisely zero points in the league. Furthermore, a third of the picks didn’t even get into a game.
Why will they keep him
Despite the sufficient evidence that he should be cut from the roster, he will likely make it due to the nature of his contract and the long-term vision they have for him.
Making history
If Bronny is kept on the Lakers roster, he and LeBron James will have the opportunity to become the first father-and-son duo to play in an NBA regular season game together.