Lakers News: Bronny James receives harsh criticism from former NFL player over performance

Being the son of LeBron James brings major advantages. Nevertheless, few talk about the pressure that comes with the name. Bronny James has felt that pressure firsthand. He has faced criticism and high expectations since the start of his basketball journey. Still, his recent play in the NBA G League has caught fans’ attention. Many believe he is showing enough to earn a spot with the Los Angeles Lakers. But not everyone agrees with that opinion. A former NFL player slammed Bronny with harsh criticism.

“I’m not going to stay in my lane ’cause they were losing by 30, he got in the game, he made 17 points…He just shot some threes and gets cooked defensively. I want my (Lakers) hat to reinforce my opinion (that) Bronny should not be (in the NBA),” stated Channing Crowder on The Pivot Podcast.

Channing did not hold back when he criticized the NBA G-League. He said the competition was so weak that even “Little Chan” could score 31 points there. His comments might sound harsh, but he made it clear that he loves LeBron James’ family. However, he still believes Bronny James is not ready for the NBA.

Why is Bronny James constantly criticized?

Bronny has improved a lot as a player and continues to grow. His 55th overall draft pick does not define his future in the league. Crowder’s criticism likely comes from the constant comparisons between Bronny and his father.

Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.

LeBron James made a big impact in his first NBA season. He averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. Bronny has a different path to follow. He is not LeBron, and that is fine. What matters is that he stays focused on building his own name in the NBA. Even, JJ Redick has publicly supported Lakers’ youngster evolution highlighting the importance of the playing time at South Bay Lakers.

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Former NBA player gives high praise on Bronny’s performance at NBA G-League

Could Bronny James earn a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster next season?

The Los Angeles Lakers are slowly shifting toward the future. LeBron James’ potential retirement remains a constant topic of discussion. Because of that, Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick are betting on younger talent. Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and Jaxon Hayes lead the next wave of players for the franchise.

Bronny James may also have a real shot to prove himself. JJ Redick continues to show full confidence in his potential. He recently spoke with the Los Angeles Times and backed Bronny again.

“He was certainly going to be an NBA player, and I still believe that he’ll be an NBA player,” he said. His words could translate into more minutes for Bronny next season. He may finally get the chance to showcase his talent at the NBA level.