Bronny James has faced persistent skepticism about his basketball skills since before joining the Los Angeles Lakers, with many questioning if his presence in the NBA is due more to being LeBron James’ son than to his own talent. Despite spending time in both the NBA and the G League, doubts about his potential have continued. However, Bronny’s recent strong displays in the Summer League have begun to challenge these negative narratives.
Debunking the False Quote from Angel Reese
A recent claim reportedly quoting WNBA star Angel Reese stating,
Bronny James is the worst player the NBA has ever seen.
caused a stir on social media. Yet, no official or verified source confirms Reese made this statement. The controversial post first circulated weeks earlier on an Instagram account named nba_flames, which casts serious doubt on its accuracy, categorizing it as misinformation.
Clarifying Bronny’s Actual Performance Statistics
The controversy around Reese’s alleged comment stemmed from the incorrect claim that Bronny recorded the lowest field goal efficiency in NBA history at 9.1%. In fact, during his rookie season, Bronny logged a field goal percentage of 31.3% and a three-point shooting percentage of 28.1%. While not exceptional, these figures do not justify labeling him as the worst player in NBA history, and they highlight his ongoing development as a young athlete.
Marked Improvement Demonstrated in Las Vegas Summer League
As Bronny enters his second season, his growth on the court is evident. In the recent Las Vegas Summer League, he averaged 14.2 points and nearly four assists across four games, with his shooting percentage rising dramatically to 47.6%. This improvement signals increased confidence and skill compared to his rookie year. Reflecting on his progress, Bronny commented,
Definitely a little less nervous. Wouldn’t say I wasn’t nervous at all, but just come out there and being myself like I did in the G League season last year. Just going out and playing my hardest,
showing a mature mindset toward his game.
Reevaluating the Criticisms and Supporting Voices
Although Bronny is not yet achieving superstardom on the scale of his father, dismissing him as the worst NBA player is an unjust exaggeration. Angel Reese’s supposed disparagement appears inconsistent with her past actions. Previously, she was seen courtside at a Lakers Summer League game alongside Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick; lip readers suggested a conversation about Bronny, in which Reese did not participate and remained absorbed in her phone. Additionally, Reese has openly praised the historic achievement shared by Bronny and LeBron as the first active father-son duo in the NBA, stating,
Nah, that’s crazy, like father-son in the NBA. That’s fire.
This positive stance contradicts rumors of her being critical towards Bronny’s ability.
Bronny James’ Path Forward Amid Heightened Scrutiny
Bronny James is steadily overcoming the intense scrutiny tied to his high-profile family background and young career. His recent performances in the Summer League have begun to shift the conversation, replacing unfounded criticism with genuine recognition of his development. Though challenges remain, Bronny is clearly committed to proving his worth on the court and silencing those who doubted him from the start.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bronny James score 30 points?
A. Bronny James had an incredible game, scoring 39 points and grabbing 7 rebounds while making 67% of his shots. As a new Los Angeles Lakers pick, he achieved his highest-ever score. With the South Bay Lakers, this was his third game of the season scoring over 30 points.