Charles Barkley weighed in on Bronny James' early struggles in his NBA career during a recent appearance on the Throwbacks podcast . The Hall of Famer and former NBA star had some candid comments about the young guard, emphasizing that Bronny is still developing and not yet ready for the big stage. Despite the immense pressure on LeBron James’ son, Barkley encouraged patience, stressing that Bronny is "not a finished product yet.
"I'm glad he's just healthy and we're all rooting for him because we have so much respect for LeBron. It's not going to be easy because he has a target on his back because of his last name."
"There's going to be a certain amount of petty jealousy of people who like 'You don't deserve to be in the NBA, you're not as good as some of these players, you only got in because of your dad."
"I'm really looking forward to, you know they've got to handle this thing with 'kid gloves' literally because they just can't put him out there because he's not a finished product yet."
"But man, it's a great story, I think we saw the Griffeys play in baseball but I can't think of anybody else where father and son played a pro sport together, not this way." (1:02:45)
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers , has faced criticism since entering the league. His performance during the preseason has added to the skepticism, as he has managed just two points on 1-11 shooting in three games. While some see these early struggles as typical for a rookie, many critics have questioned whether Bronny deserved a spot in the NBA, given his pedigree and the weight of his last name.
Barkley, however, offered a balanced perspective. The Sixers legend acknowledged that Bronny’s journey will be tougher than most, as detractors will always say that he is only in the NBA because of his father. Still, Barkley noted that Bronny has the potential to grow, but it will take time and careful management from the Lakers.
Bronny has appeared in all three preseason games so far, totaling 36 minutes. While his shooting struggles are evident, with a 1-11 mark from the field and 0-4 from three-point range, Barkley emphasized that the Lakers should not rush his development. His statement highlights the need for the Lakers to take a cautious approach to ensure that Bronny can grow into his role rather than face unnecessary pressure from high expectations.
LeBron James has been open about his desire to play alongside his son, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Lakers hope to see this historic moment on opening night. However, as Barkley and others have pointed out, Bronny’s long-term success depends on his development. While his debut is highly anticipated, he may spend significant time in the G League during his rookie season to gain the experience and confidence necessary to succeed in the NBA.
Ultimately, both Barkley and Johnson see the potential in Bronny but recognize that he is still a work in progress. With the right guidance, patience, and developmental time, Bronny could eventually meet the high expectations placed upon him. But for now, the focus should be on allowing him to grow at his own pace.
Related: LeBron James' Insane Game Day Routine Shows Why He's Still Dominating In Year 22
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