Bronny James made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers during the preseason, marking a historic moment as he and his father, LeBron James, became the first father-son duo to play in the league together.

Despite the excitement, Bronny’s entry into the NBA has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning whether his selection by the Lakers was more about his last name than his game. Recently, NBA legend Charles Barkley weighed in on the situation surrounding the young player.

Speaking on the Throwbacks podcast, Barkley offered his blunt assessment, suggesting that Bronny may not yet be ready for the rigors of the NBA. “It’s not going to be easy because he has a target on his back because of his last name,” Barkley said.

“They’ve got to handle this thing with ‘kid gloves,’ literally, because they can’t just throw him out there—he’s not a finished product yet,” Barkley added.

“But man, it’s a great story,” Barkley concluded. “We saw the Griffeys play in baseball, but I can’t think of anyone else where a father and son have played together in pro sports like this.”

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Anthony Davis on Bronny’s first NBA action

After the Lakers’ 118-114 preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns, Lakers star Anthony Davis gave his perspective on Bronny’s early performances. Speaking to Spectrum SportsNet, Davis praised Bronny’s defensive intensity and his potential for growth.

“He’s tough,” Davis said. “He’s got a defensive mindset. He made some great blocks in Game 1. His physicality is there, and he’s good at fighting through screens. He’s also active with his hands, causing deflections and steals. But he’s still learning.”

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Davis continued, “He’s figuring things out. We’ve got to remember he’s a rookie, and the NBA’s a different style of play. But I like what I’m seeing, especially on defense.”

While Bronny’s preseason stats haven’t been eye-popping—he’s averaging 1.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game on just 14.3% shooting—his defensive contributions have caught the attention of his coaches and teammates.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, specializing in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he made his initial strides as a writer. Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like Roland Garros. His ability to report on real-time events and write under pressure has established him as a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA. Gianni earned his degree in Communication from Deportea in Buenos Aires, Argentina.