Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, has been the center of heated debate following his rocky start in the Las Vegas Summer League. The young player’s early struggles have sparked a wave of criticism, most notably from Jaylen Brown, the recent NBA Finals MVP. Jaylen Brown’s criticism, however, seems to have come back to bite him.
Jaylen Brown’s Criticism: A Brutal Take on Bronny James Backfires
Bronny’s debut with the Los Angeles Lakers has been less than stellar. In his first four games, he shot a dismal 7/31 from the field (22.5%) and missed all 15 of his three-point attempts. Critics pounced on these statistics, with Jaylen Brown being one of the loudest voices.
Caught on camera speaking with former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, Brown bluntly stated, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro,” suggesting that the 6-foot-9, 19-year-old would end up in the G League despite his famous last name. These remarks stirred up a storm in the NBA community, but the tables quickly turned.
Jaylen Brown’s Own Rocky Start
Comparisons between Brown and Bronny soon emerged, revealing a surprising similarity. Brown’s own Summer League debut with the Boston Celtics in 2016 was arguably worse than Bronny’s. Brown shot a poor 5/26 from the field in his first three games, slightly worse than Bronny’s 6/26.
The Stats Don’t Lie
Bronny’s initial games yielded modest points: four in the first (2/9 shooting), three in the second (1/3), and eight in the third (3/14). Meanwhile, Brown scored 16 points in his debut game but did so largely from free throws (2/7 from the field, 11/17 from the line). His subsequent games saw him scoring nine points (3/13) and five points (0/6 from the field, all points from free throws).
Despite accumulating more points overall, Brown’s field goal percentage was equally unimpressive, and he heavily relied on free throws. Moreover, as a higher draft pick (No. 3 overall), Brown had more opportunities and minutes, making his underperformance even more glaring.
A Change of Heart
Recognizing the backlash and perhaps reflecting on his own struggles, Brown softened his stance. In a surprising turn, he praised LeBron and Bronny on social media, saying, “It’s a pride to have your son by your side in the NBA. It reflects greatness and longevity. Bronny has all the tools around him to succeed. I look forward to watching his growth.”
The Bigger Picture
Brown’s initial comments and subsequent retraction highlight the often unforgiving nature of sports criticism. Bronny’s journey, much like his father’s, will undoubtedly have its highs and lows. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and Bronny’s career is just beginning. With a strong support system and the guidance of one of the greatest players in NBA history, Bronny James has the potential to rise above early setbacks and carve out his own legacy.
Comments