LeBron James continues to defy age and rewrite history in the NBA, but his son, Bronny James, is experiencing a far less glamorous rookie season. The father-son duo made history when they stepped onto an NBA court together on October 22, marking the first time a father and son have played in the league at the same time. However, their journey together on the court has been far from the fairytale many anticipated.
Bronny James’ Disappointing Rookie Campaign
Bronny, the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has struggled to find his footing in the league. The 19-year-old guard has appeared in just 13 games this season, failing to secure a single start. While it’s not uncommon for a late second-round pick to have limited playing time, his performances in the opportunities he has received have raised concerns.
Statistically, Bronny has the worst field goal percentage among players with at least ten attempts this season. According to StatMuse, he is shooting an abysmal 6.3% from the field, far below the next-lowest player, Toronto Raptors’ D.J. Carton, who is shooting 14.3%. In contrast, his father, LeBron, is enjoying yet another dominant season, averaging 23.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 9.0 assists with an efficient 51.3% field goal percentage.
JJ Redick Acknowledges Bronny’s Struggles
The LA Lakers’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday further highlighted Bronny’s difficulties at the NBA level. Lakers assistant coach JJ Redick, who has been overseeing Bronny’s development, was candid about the rookie’s performance following the 118-104 defeat.
“He didn’t play well,” Redick admitted in a post-game conference. “But he’s been playing great in the stay-ready games and he’s been playing great in the G [G-League]. I have confidence, but obviously, he didn’t provide that at a high level.”
Redick’s comments reflect the Lakers’ ongoing challenge in integrating Bronny into the main rotation. After struggling in his initial NBA outings, he was sent to the South Bay Lakers, the franchise’s G-League affiliate. There, he showed flashes of promise, scoring a career-high 31 points against Rip City Remix. However, his transition back to the main roster has not been smooth.
LeBron’s Greatness Shines Amid Lakers’ Struggles
While Bronny continues to find his rhythm, LeBron James remains the Lakers’ driving force. The 40-year-old’s performance against Philadelphia was a testament to his enduring greatness, finishing the night with 31 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.
Despite LeBron’s heroics, the Lakers have faced inconsistency this season, and their recent loss exposed some of their weaknesses. While fans hope for Bronny to develop into a meaningful contributor, his current trajectory suggests that patience will be required.
What’s Next for Bronny James?
For Bronny, the road ahead is uncertain. Will the Lakers continue to give him opportunities on the main roster, or will he spend more time refining his game in the G-League? Either way, the young guard will need to improve his efficiency and confidence if he hopes to carve out a meaningful role in the NBA.
While LeBron James’ legacy continues to expand with each passing game, Bronny has found himself making history in a way no one anticipated—by setting an unfortunate record for the worst field goal percentage in the league. But with his father’s guidance and the right development, there’s still hope that Bronny can turn things around.
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