Bronny James, the son of 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 parentage makes his path to even just the NBA probably less hazardous than most, if he made it, would he flop? Would he thrive? Unlike in San Dimas High School, where he is the alpha dog and can do no wrong, in the G League, it counts when he stinks up the joint. So, what’s up?
The G League has made a significant impact over the past several years, and recently, it has been a hotbed for a Utah Jazz influx of young talent. G League graduates, via direct call-ups or 10-day contracts, have significantly impacted Salt Lake City’s 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 mainly due to the young talent, first honed 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. Whether or not you think the guy will make it to the NBA, we can’t deny that he’s had some great moments for the South Bay Lakers. He helped lead them to a victory over Austin in the Western Conference Finals and into the G League Finals.
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 my role on that team. So I’m just going out and playing my game and hooping,” James said via the Associated Press. (Dotson and Lev)
Bronny’s recent performances have sparked interviews with his coaches and teammates that have shed light on his development. Coaches have lauded his work ethic and eagerness to improve and emphasized his receptivity to mentorship and tutoring. His teammates have remarked that it is both inspiring and daunting to play alongside the son of arguably the most prominent basketball player of our era, if not of all time. Comparisons to LeBron may be unavoidable, but they serve as a way for Bronny to learn from the best. One cannot help but watch Bronny’s journey in a tighter narrative light than with just about any other athlete save for the still-better NFL quarterback, who may or may not eventually replace Tom Brady.
Every day in the G League, Bronny deals with pressure. His every move is under a public microscope, with the media and fans scrutinizing his young career. If he makes a mistake, they’re there to point it out; if he does something good, they tell him why it was okay. This comes with an absurd amount of mental health challenges, and we’ve seen the toll it can take on even the most prominent modern sports figures. For all that, Bronny is a calm, well-composed young man who has taken everything thrown at him in stride. Former athletes and down-to-earth sports psychologists have studied him with intrigue for a good reason: He may be the “chosen one” next in line.
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 just to slow everything down.” That awareness, coupled with a growing confidence in his abilities, promises a hopeful narrative: His tutelage in the G League has prepared him for what comes next—that the survival skills he’s honed will serve him well in the NBA.
To sum up, Bronny James’ G League venture has been a mix of promises and pressure. Living under a mammoth shadow as the son of the greatest basketball player of our time has been difficult, mainly when his path has been continually judged and compared to his father’s. 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 is remarkable is not the idea that the young mister can make it in the pros; he seems more than capable, and the G League is the right place to live out his story.
