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Bronny James had by far the best basketball game of his professional career on Thursday night, and it came with an interesting caveat. James scored 30 points on 13-of-23 shooting in the South Bay Lakers’ 106-100 loss to the Valley Suns in a G League contest.
But perhaps more notable than Bronny’s breakout performance was the circumstances under which is came. James was playing in his first ever away game for the South Bay Lakers. Previously, James was only playing in home games for South Bay and then returning to the Los Angeles Lakers when South Bay went on the road. That meant that he never left the side of his father, NBA superstar LeBron James.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, who is the foremost LeBron James reporter on the planet, ripped the decision to only have Bronny play home games for the G League club.
“He’s only going to kind of be a part-time G League player, and he’s not getting on United Airlines to fly to these road games,” Windhorst said. “I know he’s getting somewhat special treatment and nepotism. 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. I don’t know whose idea it was, but obviously, the Lakers are fine with it—they’re doing it. On this particular instance, I think that’s gone too far, and I don’t think it benefits Bronny. I don’t think it benefits the South Bay Lakers, and I don’t think it benefits LeBron at this point.”
And, well, what do you know? It turns out Windhorst may have had a point. Bronny looked far more comfortable on Thursday night without the eyes of the whole world, including his superstar father, tuned in on him.
Bronny James has long way to go before he develops into a capable NBA player. And it appears the best way for him to reach that point is to play in as many G League games as possible without the pressure of being LeBron James’ son.