ESPN NBA writer rips Lakers' 'special treatment' of Bronny James: 'Gone too far'
Windhorst, who has covered LeBron James since high school, commented on Bronny's G League schedule
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bronny James’ schedule this year isn’t like what other NBA rookies will be going through. The Los Angeles Lakers intend for him to only play for their G League South Bay Lakers in home games.
By playing only home games for South Bay, Bronny won’t be flying for the team’s road contests, which ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on "The Hoop Collective" podcast.
In Windhorst’s opinion, the Lakers’ treatment of James, the son of superstar LeBron James, has "gone too far."
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (24) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland Oct. 30, 2024. (Ken Blaze/Imagn Images)
"Honestly, I know he was getting somewhat special treatment and nepotism. That’s fine. I don’t care. It’s normal," Windhorst, who has covered LeBron since his days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, said. "Now, I think it’s actually detrimental to him. I don’t like that. I don’t know whose idea it was. Obviously, the Lakers are fine with it. They’re doing it.
"On this particular instance, I think that’s gone too far, and I don’t think that benefits Bronny. I don’t think it benefits the South Bay Lakers. And I don’t think it benefits LeBron at that point."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}LAKERS' BRONNY JAMES SCORES 1ST CAREER NBA POINTS IN CLEVELAND
The James father-son duo became the first to share an NBA court together during the Lakers’ opening night win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last month.
Since then, Bronny has been used sparingly by new head coach JJ Redick, seeing a few minutes in six of the Lakers’ 10 games. Bronny has scored four total points.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (24) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland Oct. 30, 2024. (Ken Blaze/Imagn Images)
In his G League debut Saturday, Bronny registered six points, four assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes.
Windhorst can’t wrap his head around not getting the full G League experience to help develop Bronny.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Lakers are 6-4 to start the season, putting them in seventh place in the Western Conference standings.
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