While it was one of the NBA’s biggest stories at the start of the season, the buzz surrounding Bronny James has since died down.
But the rumblings regarding the Los Angeles Lakers’ second-round pick has seemingly picked back up, thanks to comments made by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Appearing on The Hoop Collective, Windhorst discussed James’ current stint with the G League’s South Bay Lakers. And in doing so, he revealed that LeBron James’ son won’t be playing in any of the team’s road games due to “special treatment.”
“From my understanding, he’s only going to play in the South Bay Lakers’ home games. He’s only going to kind of be a part-time G League player and he’s not getting on United Airlines to fly and play in 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. 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.”
As Windhorst noted, while it’s one thing for a player to receive special treatment, it’s another for him to do so at the cost of his own development. And unsurprisingly, his comments led to many on social media weighing in on the matter.
This just shows it’s a legit joke. Like a joke. So basically he doesn’t even have to work full time. Just hangs out at home
— Eddie (@eddieb2) November 13, 2024
What a joke https://t.co/rpX8mAEbKn
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 13, 2024
serious question: what’s he doing when the team is on the road? https://t.co/mWaQ1f1or7
— bomani (@bomani_jones) November 13, 2024
My thought all along has been that I don’t feel like this who process has been good for the kid, but is in service to LeBron’s ego. (And yes, familial love in some way.) This reinforces that. https://t.co/h5IZqNnfk8
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) November 13, 2024
Are we sure this kid wants to be a professional basketball player? https://t.co/duNNISCKok
— Astead (@AsteadWH) November 13, 2024
If the focus is developing Bronny as a player, then him playing in half the games he could doesn’t make much sense. https://t.co/n6B2JaeKeg
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) November 13, 2024
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.