Bronny James Earns Lakers Nation’s Respect After Epic Career Night Against NBA Legend’s Son
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Charles Barkley was among those who criticized the Lakers’ handling of Bronny James. After being picked by the franchise in the second round of the NBA Draft in June, the rookie has had a very limited role in the league. Hence, he was assigned to the team’s G League South Bay Lakers squad earlier this month. However, the franchise decided that he would play for the development team when they are at home and return to the NBA whenever they are on the road.
But the franchise had a change of heart and on Thursday Bronny made his G League road debut with South Bay against the Valley Suns in Tempe, Arizona. After a slow start in the G-League in his first two games, scoring 10 points, five rebounds, and six assists in 57 minutes of action, Bronny is proving his talents.
After scoring a career-high 16 points against the San Diego Clippers on December 7, he started strong against the Suns, hitting his first three-pointers of the season. In just the first two minutes, he put up eight points, sinking two threes and a layup.
He exited shortly after but returned to continue his impressive play. By halftime, Bronny had a team-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-3 from deep. Along with one assist, one steal, and two turnovers, he ended the half with a +9 box score, helping South Bay lead 56-48. Despite the South Bay Lakers’ 106-100 loss, James finished with 30 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block in 25 minutes of action.
He had 13-for-23 from the field and also went 3-for-9 from behind the arc and scored 11 points in the final quarter, single-handedly keeping Green Bay alive in the game. Apart from this what was notable, was his ease and impact playing defense.
His defensive pressure was solid, showcasing flashes of what impressed the scouts during his high school tenure. The 6’3″ guard showed his all-round capabilities on the night, catching an alley-oop, finishing multiple times at the rim through traffic, drilling a couple of mid-range jumpers, and blocking a 3-pointer.
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Having missed several weeks due to a bone bruise in his left heel, this was a welcome return to action for Bronny, who has faced accusations of nepotism after the Lakers made him the 55th pick in the draft. In seven games for the Lakers, he has played for 18 minutes, totaling four points, one rebound, two assists, one steal, and one block.
Hence, the decision to restrict him from road games in the G League baffled many including Charles Barkley. Speaking on The Bettor Angle podcast, he said, “I thought it was great, a little ceremony his first game. But the kid is not ready to play in the NBA. He should be in the G League, so he can play basketball. He’s not going to get better sitting on the bench. But also, this thing where he’s only going to play home games. It’s stupid, it’s not fair to him. It’s not fair to the team.
Can you imagine the coach of that team? You come off a road trip and there is a player you haven’t seen in a week or two. And then you feel like you probably got to play him. I don’t think they are doing Bronny any favors.”
Notably, during the game, Bronny was up against David Stockton, the son of former Utah Jazz player and Hall of Famer John Stockton. Stockton also had an impressive outing with 16 points, two rebounds, six assists and a team-high five steals
The Lakers decision to allow Bronny to play in road games has proved to be beneficial for his reputation as the fans were left admiring the 20-year-old.
Lakers U-turn is a decision that the Lakers Nation likes
Witnessing her son’s sensational performance in the G League, Savannah James shared a post from SportsCenter about Bronny’s big night on her Instagram story, showing her love.
In a thrilling moment during the game against the Valley Suns, Bronny James showed off his impressive athleticism with an incredible alley-oop dunk. One enthusiastic tweet read, “BRONNY TAKES FLIGHT *flight emoji*,” highlighting the excitement surrounding the play.
His vertical leap and timing were on full display as he soared through the air, making a statement on the court. This dunk certainly turned heads and added to the growing hype surrounding the Lakers’ second-round pick. “3rd three for Bronny. 13 in the first half already in his first road game,” reacted one user. It’s not just the points that matter here, but the confidence he’s showing early in his G League career.
Making three threes in a game is a major accomplishment, especially for a player still adjusting to the pro level. Considering Bronny’s early struggles with his outside shot, his ability to find a rhythm and hit shots like this indicates growth and maturation.
Fans also took notice of the rare matchup between the sons of two basketball greats, with one fan reacting, “Sons of two NBA legends going H2H. Bronny James guarding David Stockton, who’s running the point for Valley Suns.”
This moment was a highlight for basketball enthusiasts, showcasing the next generation of talent. With Bronny guarding Stockton, the game felt like a passing of the torch, as both players carried the legacy of their iconic fathers while making their own mark on the court.
A fan also brought up the moment when he hit his career-high points, with one reacting, “Nice fading jumper off the ball screen gets him up to 21 now on 9-15 shooting.” The Lakers face criticism, with many suggesting that they picked Bronny due to his father’s influence. However, this performance would go a long way in vindicating their choice.
“This is frankly all that matters for him this season. He can’t be as small as he is and not be able to shoot if he ever wants to be a serious NBA player,” rightly pointed out another user.
The comment underscores a common theme in the NBA: if you’re not physically dominant, you need a reliable shot to make it at the highest level. As a guard, Bronny’s size and skill set are key factors for his future, and his shooting ability will be a major determining factor in whether he can make it in the league.
Think of how much hype surrounds players like Stephen Curry and Trae Young, who might not be the tallest, but their shooting range and skills make them threats on the court.
For Bronny, while sharing the court with his father in the NBA will be a moment to remember, his recent outing in the G League is a big step towards moving out of his shadow and take the first steps in establishing his legacy.
