In the landscape of professional sports, few names carry more weight than LeBron James. As the son of arguably the greatest player in NBA history, Bronny James has faced levels of pressure and scrutiny previously unseen for a second-round pick from the moment he stepped onto the court. In his rookie season as a two-way player for the Los Angeles Lakers and their G-League affiliate the South Bay Lakers, Bronny has been the subject of extreme criticism, with many questioning his on-court talent, the Lakers’ decision to draft him, and the fairness (or lack thereof) to other worthy NBA prospects whose life goal is to make it to the league. However, Bronny’s NBA journey so far is proving to all of us that much of this criticism is sensationalized and unfounded. Outside of the media circus, Bronny is being treated like any other second-round pick by JJ Redick and the Lakers, spending most of his time in the G League while riding the bench during home games for the NBA team that drafted him. JJ has given him very limited and infrequent run in real games, recognizing a need for him to continue developing in the G League. Outside of a ~5-minute on-court stretch on opening night that will primarily serve as footage for his father’s future Netflix documentary, Bronny’s opportunity for NBA minutes has been predicated on what he’s delivered during practice and in G-League runs. After a few failed attempts at non-garbage time NBA minutes, Bronny showcased his ability to contribute during an extended run on March 20. While the media circus and often-blinding spotlight on him are inevitable due to his name and family legacy, Bronny is doing exactly what he needs to be doing and is not the NBA “nepo-baby” that many paint him to be.

A Typical Second-Round Journey

Like most university second-round picks, Bronny has spent the majority of his rookie season in the G League, building confidence and developing a feel for the pace and physicality of basketball at the professional level. This is the most common path for players who were drafted outside the first round or not drafted at all, who often need time to further develop before they can contribute at an NBA level. Notable exceptions to this rule can usually be explained by circumstance – older second-rounders like Dennis Rodman and Mark Price were drafted before the G-League existed, and more recent second-round stars such as Manu Ginobli and Nikola Jokic played overseas in place of the G. Take Khris Middleton and Danny Green, for example – both second-round draft picks who spent significant time in the G League their rookie year before becoming great players and NBA champions. Bronny’s path mirrors this trajectory so far; he has the chance to to grow and improve in a lower-pressure environment with the South Bay Lakers, while learning from the veterans and getting a taste of NBA-level action when he shares the bench with his NBA teammates. And Bronny has been nothing short of productive in the G-League, averaging 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 16 games through time of writing. Behind these numbers are a steady improvement in shooting, playmaking, and an overall grasp of the game – critical abilities for a 6’3 guard to possess if he wants to make an impact at the top level.

Par for the Course

When he does take the court with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny has received minimal playing time, averaging just 5 minutes across 20 games and posting a modest 1.7 points per game. Limited playing time like this is fairly usual for a second-round pick, particularly one like Bronny that is still finding his footing in the league. The Lakers have their deepest roster since their championship run in 2020 that is headlined by a future hall of famer in Luka Doncic that plays Bronny’s position, so the competition for Bronny’s potential minutes is fierce. Yet, Bronny continues to do the right things and showcases his potential when opportunity arises, with his March 20 performance standing out as a prime example—more on that in a moment. For now, I will reiterate that Bronny’s current role on the Lakers’ bench is in full alignment with the typical development arc of a second-rounder and is neither an endorsement nor an indictment of his abilities.

A Glimpse of What’s to Come

Back to Bronny’s big game that prompted the writing of this essay. On March 20, the Lakers were set to go head to head with interconference contenders the Milwaukee Bucks on the second night of a back-to-back. However, the Lakers were plagued by injuries, with six players declared inactive for the game, including four starters – LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves. In the wake of this hardship, Bronny finally got his opportunity to play extended minutes and seized the moment. In 29 minutes off the bench, he dropped 17 points on 70% shooting from the field (50% from three), grabbed 4 boards, and dished out 3 assists. While his teammates and coaching staff were clearly excited for Bronny, no one seemed surprised. It was a reminder that development isn’t linear- young players like Bronny need time and patience while they adjust to the speed, physicality, and talent level of NBA basketball. It is now Bronny’s responsibility to prove to critics that were quick to dismiss him as a product of nepotism (Stephen A – looking at you) that performances like these are evidence of his potential rather than a fluke in an otherwise unproductive rookie season.

The Spotlight: Inevitable, But Not Defining

There’s no denying the fact that Bronny faces a level of scrutiny few other players – let alone second-round rookies – ever have to endure. As the son of the NBA’s king LeBron James, his every shot, sentence, and mannerism is dissected by the media and NBA fans ad nauseum, creating a whirlwind of discourse that amplifies both his accomplishments and his struggles. We have to be careful not to confuse the brighter spotlight – which is an inevitable byproduct of his name and family legacy – with a reflection of his abilities on the court. Although many fans and haters claim that Bronny is receiving preferential treatment, he is actually being held to a higher standard than any other second-round pick that I can recall, and he is carrying this burden with remarkable poise for a 19-year old whose sole reason for being here is due to a love for the game. JJ Redick has repeatedly praised his work ethic, calling out both his successes and potential along with his shortcomings as they make themselves known. It is clear that Bronny has remained focused on his growth through all the noise, and that maturity is a testament to his character.

Addressing the Critics

Some media personalities (still looking at you Steve) will continue to argue that Bronny is only in the NBA because of his father, suggesting that the Lakers wouldn’t have taken a flyer on him without the name that LeBron Sr. has publicly expressed regret for bestowing upon his son. And I will admit: it’s fair to acknowledge that his father’s interest in becoming the first father-son duo in NBA history likely played a role in his selection – but that’s where the story of Bronny James diverges from the criticism. Plenty of “nepo babies” have entered the league. Hell – LeBron has played against most of their fathers (*deep inhale*… Jabari Smith Jr., Gary Trent Jr., KJ Martin, Gary Payton II, Jalen Bruson, Adrian Griffin Jr., Glenn Robinson III, Jabari Walker, Glen Rice Jr.). All of these players’ successes hinge on talent and effort, not just their last name, with Bronny’s only differentiator being that his father had the longevity to stick around in the NBA like a helicopter parent first-grade teacher. All year, Bronny has demonstrated a willingness to grind and earn his place in the league. His G League stats and flashes of excellence in limited NBA minutes point to real potential. Add in his defensive instincts and unique athleticism for his size, both often overshadowed by his shooting struggles, and it’s clear he’s more than a legacy pick to appease a star.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, Bronny James’ critics might be loud, but the work speaks louder. He’s being treated like any other second-round pick- splitting time between the G League and the Lakers’ bench, logging minimal NBA minutes, and steadily developing his game. His breakout performance against the Bucks showed what he’s capable of when given a chance, while his G League progress highlights a young player that is learning how to climb to their potential. The media frenzy of his rookie season was unavoidable given his lineage and will likely follow him to some extent for the rest of his career, but so far Bronny has been handling it with grace and doing exactly what’s expected of a rookie in his position- no more, no less. As he continues to develop and improve, we will likely see the narrative shift. For now, though, Bronny James is right where he needs to be, and critics will soon learn that if you come at the King(‘s son), you best not miss.