Bronny James’ first NBA season concluded last Wednesday, when the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a disappointing 103-96 Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Since landing with the Lakers in 2024, James has been a popular topic of discussion.
James’ father, LeBron, is one of the best players to step on the hardwood, and it’s widely believed that he had much to do with the Lakers’ decision to bring his son aboard last summer.
On Friday, James received a brutal comparison to Colorado football legend Shedeur Sanders.
“I think he’s (Sanders) going to get more love than Bronny because people know he was good,” Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague said on the Club 520 podcast Friday.
“To know he got dropped like that in the draft or whatever, people are going to champion him because he’s going to be on the bench, and people are going to be like, ‘put Shedeur in.’ I think he’ll get more love.”
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“Bronny, people think LeBron… people didn’t think Bronny was good. You know what I mean? (Shedeur) was actually good.”
James and Sanders are experiencing similar situations.
James, the son of a sensational four-time NBA champion, and Sanders, the son of arguably one of the most skilled NFL players ever (Deion), have high professional expectations due to their respective fathers’ accomplishments.
James was selected No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA draft, while Sanders was selected No. 144 overall by the Cleveland Browns in this year’s NFL draft after spending two highly productive seasons at Colorado.
While showing love to Sanders is acceptable, individuals seem to forget that James was a McDonald’s All-American in high school with one of the cleanest games in his recruiting class.
After suffering a cardiac arrest during a 2023 USC workout, many were unsure if the 6-foot-2 guard would compete in another organized basketball game.
Fortunately, James recovered in time to rejoin the Trojans early in the Trojans’ 2023-24 campaign.
Although his production was subpar (4.8 points per game on 36.6% field goal shooting and 26.7% three-point shooting), James entered the draft hoping to get picked in the first or second round.
Following an eventful draft night and summer league, James spent much of his rookie season with Los Angeles’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
The first-year contributor exhibited promise in the NBA’s developmental league, averaging 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
James’s game may not be aesthetically pleasing, and his measly 2.3 points per game in the big leagues prove he isn’t ready to impact games at that level significantly.
Still, his encouraging on-ball defense and ability to play under control while controlling the rock could pay dividends for him later.
Simply put, James is and has always been a good basketball player, and critics must be patient with him as he continues his NBA journey.
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