Bronny James’ showdown with Cooper Flagg was one of the most talked-about matchups of this year’s NBA Summer League, not just for what happened on the court. While the 20-year-old guard showed flashes of two-way potential against the No. 1 pick, Skip Bayless’ postgame commentary set off a firestorm online.
What Made Skip Bayless Target Bronny James After the Loss?
In a tightly contested 87-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers’ James had to guard Flagg, one of the most hyped rookies in recent memory. For all the attention surrounding the generational talent, the Lakers’ player arguably played the better defense.
Flagg was held to 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting, going 0-for-5 from deep. James, meanwhile, battled on both ends, opening the game with a smooth fadeaway jumper and hitting a confident three over Flagg in the first quarter. But the good moments came with growing pains; he finished with eight points, shooting 25% from the field.
Still, the moment that stuck came in the closing seconds. With the Lakers trailing by two and the clock winding down, James launched a three from the top of the arc, a shot that could’ve sealed the game. It missed, and Bayless wasted no time pouncing.
“‘Brawny’ James,” he posted on X, mocking both the name and the performance. He followed it up with: “Oh well, like father like son.”
“Brawny” James.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 11, 2025
NBA fans didn’t take the bait.
NBA Fans Slam Skip Bayless for Going After Bronny James
The backlash was swift. Social media lit up with responses defending Bronny and calling out Bayless for what many saw as unnecessary trolling.
“Damn you going after his son too? This is Hall of Fame level hating,” one fan posted. Another simply wrote, “Stfu old head.”
Others didn’t hold back either: “Bronny was better than you ever was,” said one user. Another quipped, “SKIP BRAINLESS.” And perhaps the most concise reply summed up the mood perfectly, “Leave the kid alone.”
This wasn’t Bayless’ first shot at the rookie. James’s overall Summer League shooting numbers, just 3-for-13 from deep over three games, have provided ammo for critics. But as Lakers analyst Mike Bresnahan pointed out, it’s not the misses that define him just yet.
“I did like Bronny taking that last shot, Lakers down, winding down, eight seconds left, when he got the ball in his hands above the arc,” Bresnahan said. “He’s like, ‘this is my shot’. He didn’t make it, but the mindset, yeah, let’s win the game. I’m going to do this.”
There’s still a long way to go. But if early signs mean anything, James isn’t afraid of the moment, even when others are loud about it.
