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Bronny James, the highly anticipated rookie in the NBA, entered the league with considerable excitement as he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, making history alongside his legendary father, LeBron James. However, his transition to the professional level has been met with mixed reviews, particularly regarding his handling by the Lakers, which has drawn criticism from some prominent figures.
G League Assignment and Limited NBA Appearances
Bronny James, after making a couple of appearances with the Lakers, was assigned to the G League to play with the South Bay Lakers in order to continue developing his skills. This move was made with the hope that more consistent play and experience would help him grow as a player. Despite the assignment, James has not remained consistently in the G League. Instead, he has appeared sporadically with the Lakers, primarily during home games, rather than traveling with the team for away games.
Charles Barkley Criticizes Lakers' Handling of Bronny
Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has been vocal about his concerns regarding the way the Lakers have managed Bronny's transition into the NBA. On "The Bettor Angle," Barkley described the team’s approach as "awful," emphasizing how it isn’t fair to the young player or the Lakers organization.
Barkley elaborated, saying, "And also, this thing where he’s only gonna 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 you have a player you haven’t seen in a week or two. And then you probably feel like you gotta play him."
He continued, "I don’t think they are doing Bronny any favors. They have just handled this thing very bad. It’s a bad look for the Lakers. I really like everything LeBron has done. But it’s a bad look for him [too], in my opinion."
Bronny James Dealing with Injury
In addition to the challenges of adjusting to NBA life, Bronny James has also been dealing with a heel injury that has kept him sidelined for the past week. His absence has further complicated his development and his limited playing time with the Lakers.
Historic Father-Son Moment
Despite the criticisms, Bronny and LeBron James made history in October, becoming the first father-son duo to appear together in an NBA game. This milestone was a significant moment in both of their careers and added to the excitement surrounding Bronny’s entry into the league.
Lakers' Strong Start to the Season
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a strong start to the 2024-2025 season. As of Monday, the team holds a 10-7 record, placing them in fourth place in the Western Conference. However, the spotlight on Bronny’s development remains a key topic of conversation as the team continues to navigate his transition into the NBA.
A Complicated Start to Bronny James’ NBA Career
Bronny James' rookie season has been filled with ups and downs, both on and off the court. While he has had moments of promise, the handling of his development by the Lakers, particularly the decision to limit his appearances to home games, has drawn significant criticism from figures like Charles Barkley. As Bronny continues to heal from his injury and work through his rookie year, it remains to be seen how his career will unfold with the Lakers.
