Los Angeles Lakers legend defends Bronny James from NBA criticism

Bronny James has already made his debut in the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers, participating in several games during the summer leagues, namely the California Classic (San Francisco) and the NBA 2K25 Summer League (Las Vegas), which provide opportunities for emerging talents to gain experience ahead of the upcoming NBA season. His official debut took place on Saturday, July 6, in a game against the Sacramento Kings, where he recorded just four points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal.

Defending Bronny’s position at the Lakers

His performance with the California franchise showed gradual improvement, but many fans have questioned the reasons behind his selection in the NBA draft and whether LeBron James, his father, had any influence over the decision. Even his agent, Rich Paul, had to clarify that the decision to bring Bronny to the Lakers was made by the team’s owner.

“Jeanie Buss made this decision, and she has been able to see Bronny from all aspects, not just from a basketball perspective but also from the perspective of Bronny’s character,” Paul said at the time. “He embodies everything that aligns with the Laker brand. So, she made the call. At the end of the day, we’re not going to spend too much time on this. Bronny has to carve out his own path, and he will.”

Now, Michael Cooper, a Lakers legend who won five titles with the franchise, is advocating for Bronny to remain firmly on the roster.

“It’s not about nepotism. It’s about drafting a young player who will definitely help the team in the future. This is a long-term investment,” Cooper said on Scoop B Radio. “LeBron is the first to play with his son, so why not do it in a Lakers uniform?”

Bronny learning quickly, says Lakers coach

Bronny James averaged 8.8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assists per game in the Summer League. Lakers preseason coach Dane Johnson also praised the performance of the ‘King’ James’ eldest son.

“I think right now he’s more of a shooting guard, but I think he could be a combo guard. He picks things up very well,” Johnson said. “We throw plays, coverages, and defensive schemes at him, and he picks them up quickly, so I think he could potentially become a point guard. Maybe we’ll work on that over the summer, but I think right now, that’s where he is, in the role of a secondary playmaker.”