"He shouldn't be protected because he's Bron's son" - Paul George thinks Bronny criticism is "unfair to some degree"
Bronny James began his NBA career with perhaps the most criticism of any rookie. Many did not think that LeBron's eldest son earned the right to be picked 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, much less land a roster spot on the Los Angeles Lakers regular-season team.
During the latest episode of "Podcast P," Paul George discussed the scrutiny LeBron Jr. has received in his young NBA career thus far. George said criticism is part of being in the NBA but added that the 20-year-old isn't getting a fair shake.
"I think he shouldn't be protected because he's Bron's son. Everybody's gonna get criticized. Fact of the matter is, yeah, he was the 55th pick, but he's also the son of the best or one of the best players to ever play the game of basketball. And so, there's going to be—same way he's dealt with the pressure and the target of his back through high school—he's going to deal with that now in the NBA," PG said.
"Unfair to some degree"
Expectations have been high for Bronny ever since he started playing basketball, and he's always handled it well. However, the NBA is a different breed, and the Lakers rookie has yet to prove that he belongs with the best of the best.
Save for his 17-point game in the team's preseason finale, he's played one bad game after another from the Summer League to Preseason. Because of his poor performances, LeBron Jr. has been slandered at every opportunity.
"I do think it's unfair to some degree that you don't allow him to kind of navigate and find himself," added George. "This is a kid we're talking about who trying to find his way in the NBA and trying to live out his dreams, and no one starts off perfect at anything. No one looks great at anything. He's trying to find his way, to find the NBA game."
Bronny is heading to the G League
JJ Redick let LeBron and Bronny have their historic moment together on opening night. However, although the Lakers head coach played James Jr. for only three minutes in that game, the purple and gold still got chastised for what was called a "manufactured moment of history."
After that game, the 20-year-old hasn't played for the Lakers. According to the latest reports, the organization plans to send him to the G League after their current road trip is over.
Hopefully, most of the outside noise will stop once Bronny is no longer on the roster with his dad. That would be the best thing for his development as a player.
