Bronny James, the son of Lebron James, one of the most remarkable basketball figures in history, has found himself in the G League’s center stage, a venue for both “show” and “tell” for wannabe NBA superstars. Though his dad makes his path to even just the NBA probably less hazardous than most, if he made it, would he flop? Would he thrive?
The G League has made a big impact over the past several years, and recently, it has been good for the flood of young talent. G League graduates, either via direct call-ups or 10-day contracts, have made a significant impact on the very own National Basketball Association team. Utah has made the playoffs in 11 of the past 15 years, tied for seventh most among all NBA franchises over that span, and it has been largely due to the young talent, first sharpened in the G League and then moved up to the parent club. Bronny James’ debut in the G League has been closely watched in many corners.
According to CNN’s Kevin Dotson, Bronny James scored six points in his G-League debut with the South Bay Lakers. James started and scored six points on Saturday as the Lakers defeated the Salt Lake City Stars 110-96 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. “I haven’t been with the team as much as I can to figure out what my role is on that team. So I’m just going out and playing my game and just hooping,” James said via the Associated Press (Dotson and Lev).
The recent performances from Bronny have triggered an interview with his coaches and teammates about his development. Not only have coaches praised his work ethic and desire to improve, but they’ve also pointed out how receptive he is to mentorship and tutoring. His teammates have both been inspired and intimidated to have shared the court with the son of arguably the most outspoken basketball player of our time, if not all time. Comparisons to LeBron won’t stop, but even those are a lesson for Bronny from the best. One can’t help but watch Bronny’s journey in a tighter narrative light than with just about any other athlete.
Every day in the G League, Bronny faces pressure. His every move is under a public microscope, with the media and fans scrutinizing his young career. They’re there to point out when he messes up, and when he does something good, they’re there to tell him why it was just okay. That comes with an absurd amount of mental health challenges, and we’ve seen what it can do to even the biggest modern sports figures. For all that, Bronny is a quiet, laid-back kid who has taken everything thrown his way in stride. Former athletes and no-nonsense sports psychologists have studied him with interest for good reason: He just may be the “chosen one” next in line.
Hunter (11) believes, “[Bronny] definitely needs time to develop more in the G League but a lot of other players who are in the NBA could be helped by going to the g league. I think he’s used to all the media at this point so it’s not affecting him like people say it is.”
The long-term prospects for Bronny James in the G League appear promising. As he good-naturedly explained afterward, it wasn’t so much his skills that needed refining, but “I needed to just slow everything down.” That awareness, combined with a growing confidence in his abilities, gives promise to a hopeful narrative: His experience in the G League will prepare him for what comes next-that the survival skills he’s honed will serve him well in the NBA.
In conclusion, Bronny James’ journey in the G League has been a mixture of promises and pressure. With him being the son of his father-the greatest basketball player of our time-in no way is it easy, especially when his path is continually being compared to his dad. That’s a lot to ask of a young player still learning and growing, and even more to ask of his son, who seems to have a good head on his shoulders and the kind of inner fortitude it will take to build a career in basketball. What’s remarkable is not the idea that the young mister can make it in the pros, but rather that he seems more than capable, and the G League is the right place for him to live out his story.
