Nationwide — When the Los Angeles Lakers chosen Bronny James, the 20-year-old son of LeBron James, with the fifty fifth decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, expectations had been blended. Whereas some assumed he would spend most of his rookie season creating within the G League, the Lakers stunned many by signing him to a assured contract and maintaining him on the NBA roster to begin the season. Notably, Bronny is the highest-paid participant within the G League making greater than $1 million however at present, he ranks 330th out of 336 gamers in efficiency metrics.
In response to Bro Bible, after struggling in his preliminary NBA video games, the place he appeared out of sync, the Lakers reassigned Bronny to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. Nonetheless, the transfer got here with a novel association: Bronny would solely play residence video games for South Bay, rejoining the NBA roster when the G League group traveled.
Bronny has since made two appearances for South Bay, however his performances have been removed from promising. In his debut on November 9, he scored simply six factors on 22% taking pictures. His second outing didn’t fare significantly better, as he completed with 4 factors on 2-of-10 taking pictures, together with two rebounds, two assists, and a block, in a 127-122 loss.
South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie supplied a candid evaluation of Bronny’s early struggles. “It’s about competing at a excessive stage and taking part in the appropriate method,” Guthrie defined. “We have to increase our collective depth on the ball. It’s onerous while you haven’t performed at a excessive stage your entire life. You need to be taught to be bodily, dictate the tempo, and adapt to trendy offenses. Within the G League, there aren’t any days off; each possession issues.”
Bronny’s difficulties stand in stark distinction to gamers like Mac McClung, the 2024 G League MVP and two-time NBA Dunk Contest champion. Even McClung, regardless of his success within the G League, has struggled to safe a everlasting spot on an NBA roster, highlighting the uphill battle Bronny faces in his skilled improvement.
