ESPN’s Brian Windhorst accused LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers of “nepotism” as Bronny James will only play in G League home games.
On Saturday, Bronny – son of four-time NBA MVP James – made his G League debut against the Salt Lake City Stars. The rookie played 31 minutes, scoring six points on 2-of-9 shooting including 0-of-4 from three-point range.
Bronny also contributed three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a blocked shot while his iconic father watched courtside alongside his wife Savannah, daughter Zuri, and grandmother Gloria. Lakers teammates Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell were also in attendance, along with general manager Rob Pelinka.
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On the opening night of the 2024-25 NBA season, Bronny and LeBron made history by becoming the first father-son duo to appear in a league game together. He scored his first career NBA points during the Lakers’ five-game road trip, averaging 0.7 points over six games.
Bronny has been sent to the G League to fine-tune his game, but there is a condition – he won’t be traveling on road games with the South Bay Lakers. As a result, Windhorst fumed over the “special treatment” the former USC player is receiving.
“He’s only going to play in the South Bay Lakers’ home games,” Windhorst said. “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.
“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.
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Bronny James will only play NBA G League games in El Segundo, California (
AP)
“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.”
Bronny’s basketball career was thrown into doubt ahead of his first college season when he suffered a cardiac arrest at a team practice last July. However, he was cleared to return to the court and, after missing the first eight games, made 25 appearances for the Trojans, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
Bronny was drafted by the Lakers with the 55th overall selection in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Throughout the draft process, scouts suggested Bronny has the potential to be a solid defensive player but pointed to question marks over his ability to effectively transition to the professional level.
His first few showings have done little to answer those questions. As for his father LeBron, the 6-4 Lakers are next in action against the 7-4 Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
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