There’s an old saying, “Actions always speak louder than words.” And right now, Bronny James is proving that to be true.
Since he entered the NBA this season through the 55th overall pick, the young guard has experienced continuous negative feedback. Members of the basketball community compare Bronny to his father LeBron James without recognizing his skills and also doubting his NBA qualifications.
But during Monday’s 122-118 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League, Bronny let his game do the talking.
Bronny James Is Proving What He Is Capable Of
In Monday’s game, Bronny delivered the best performance of his professional career, scoring a staggering 39 points. His previous career high of 31 points, which came against the Rip City Remix on January 24 already hinted at significant improvement, but this latest performance was a true statement game.
In a post-game interview with Timothy Parker, the 20-year-old didn’t hold back when addressing his critics, confidently stating that he belongs on the court.
“Just that I belong out there. That’s all I’m trying to prove. A lot of people say I don’t, but I just come out, work every day, try to get better every day and prove myself every day… All the criticism that’s thrown my way, it’s just amazing to shut all that down and keep going,” said James during the interview.
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The criticism Bronny has faced since entering the league has been unrelenting. Fans have questioned his ability, suggesting he only made it to the NBA because of his last name. The most recent wave of scrutiny came from ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who questioned whether Bronny was deserving of his spot in the league. The backlash was so intense that it even got under LeBron’s skin.
Before the game between the Lakers and the Knicks on March 6, LeBron erupted in anger at Smith when they met at Madison Square Garden. While the interaction couldn’t be heard, it was easily understandable that King James said, “Keep my son out of this s***, bro,” to the Smith.
Moreover, this isn’t the first time Bronny has silenced his critics with his play. Just days before his G League explosion, he put up an NBA career-high 17 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20. The interesting part? Despite the Lakers losing 118-89 and missing key stars like LeBron, Luka Dončić, and Rui Hachimura, Bronny’s individual performance stood out. With a depleted roster, he took charge and delivered, showing flashes of his potential.
As the season progresses, one thing is clear — James is improving. Although he is averaging just 2.3 points at the NBA level, it is clear he’s not backing down. As the Lakers get ready to face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, it’s reasonable to expect ongoing improvement from the young guard.
However, while Bronny has his fair share of critics, one media member if taking his side.
James Got High Praise From a Fox Sports Reporter
James has faced his fair share of critics, but after his impressive 17-point performance against the Milwaukee Bucks, he seems to be getting better at not allowing negative commentary to affect him.
That much was evident when he said, “Can’t really do much about that [criticism], so I just go in the gym and work, put my head down, and try to get better,” during a post-game interview after his encouraging performance against Milwaukee.
While doubters have been vocal about his journey, the tide appears to be turning, with even some of his harshest critics beginning to acknowledge his growth and potential.
Recently, James’ high-level performance in the G League caught the attention of many, including Fox Sports personality Nick Wright. During a segment on First Things First, Wright took a moment to praise the young guard for his continued development.
“He is 100% validating the pick and he is answering every call, and I do think for the most scrutinized second-round pick ever, I think it’s really impressive,” said Wright on the show.
In his last 10 games for South Bay, James has averaged 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while making 46% of his field goals. Moreover, South Bay has three regular-season games left, and it’s possible James still delivers more standout performances to close out his first G League campaign.