Arenas says Bronny is playing with the pressure of a No.1 pick: "What did Zion have in his first game? What did Wemby do in his first game?"

The scrutiny around Bronny James continues. Bronny has been at the center of the storm since the Lakers drafted him 55th overall in the 2024 Draft and subsequently signed him to a guaranteed four-year $7.9 million contract.

On Saturday, the critics pounded James Jr. even more after he scored just four points in his summer league debut against the Sacramento Kings at the California Classic. However, Lakers supporter Gilbert Arenas was quick to defend the rookie from all the furor.

"Bronny literally has the pressure of a No.1 pick," declared Arenas. "People are reacting to his four points as if his spot 55 should have been four points. The 55th pick, most of them don't get in the game right here."

Bronny's first summer league game paled in comparison to LeBron's

Wearing jersey no. 9, Bronny started for the Lakers and logged in 22 minutes of action. He shot just 2-9 from the field to finish with four points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a 94-108 loss to the Kings.

His NBA debut was a far cry from his father's, when LeBron scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and issued six assists during the 2003 Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando back when the summer tournament wasn't a big event yet. But then again, LBJ was 'The Chosen One' and the No.1 overall pick of the Draft. Bronny, meanwhile, was a deep second-rounder.

"He showed that he has the intangibles of a guard and makes good reads," added Arenas. "What did Zion have in his first game? What did Wemby do in his first game? No.1 pick, five points. The number one pick, the nig** who is looking superhuman right now? Five points"

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Even Wemby scored just 5 points in his Summer League debut

Taking from Arenas' cue, Zion put up 11 points and three rebounds in nine minutes during his Summer League Debut. Meanwhile, Wemby had nine points on 2-13 shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, and five blocks in his first appearance. Indeed, those numbers fell short of expectations, too. So if No.1 picks can struggle in their summer league debut, what more can be expected of a 55th pick?

"Every first game I have at the next level, there's always butterflies in my stomach," Bronny said of his performance. "But as soon as the ball tips off and we go a couple of times down the court, it all goes away, and I play basketball."

The problem with Bronny, though, is that he is no ordinary No.55 pick. He is the son of LeBron, the most scrutinized player in NBA history. The attention and pressure will always be there, and as Gil said, the pressure is similar to being the top pick of the Draft.

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