Reggie Miller Defends Bronny James amid Criticism of His Summer League Stats: ‘Pause on the Bronny Hate’
James scored 13 points in the Lakers win over the Cavaliers during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on July 18
Reggie Miller, Bronny James. PHOTO: KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY; MONICA SCHIPPER/GETTY
Reggie Miller is reminding basketball fans not to overreact to Bronny James’ initially underwhelming debut with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“People, it’s Summer League,” Miller, 58, told USA Today after critics continue to doubt if 19-year-old Bronny — who will team up with his father LeBron James when the regular season begins — is ready to compete at an NBA level.
Miller continued to USA Today, “No one cares. Those numbers won’t translate to the fall. It’s all about experience in the summer.”
“It will take some time,” added Miller, who encouraged basketball fans to “pause on the Bronny hate” while the Lakers rookie adjusts to the professional league.
Instead, Miller said viewers should “appreciate what we are witnessing” as the father and son duo make NBA history.
Bronny James and LeBron James attend the 2023 ESPY Awards in Hollywood, California.FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY
“Like we appreciated the Griffeys. I think it is one of the coolest things ever,” the former Indiana Pacers star said, referring to Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr., the MLB’s first father-and-son teammates from 1990.
Bronny and the Lakers’s Summer League roster lost four games in a row at the start of the NBA’s annual tournament in Las Vegas. They’ve picked up two wins since the losing streak, but critics remain skeptical that Bronny was selected without any leverage as LeBron’s son.
Lakers Manager Says Bronny James Has ‘Worked for Everything That He’s Gotten’ After Being Drafted by Father’s Team
On July 17, the team scored their first win over the Atlanta Hawks and Bronny’s stellar performance seemed to quiet down his naysayers.
And in their win over the Cleveland Cavaliers a night later on July 18, Bronny impressed on both ends of the floor, scoring 13 points, five rebounds and three assists with two blocks on the other end.
Bronny James Jr. #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers on July 18, 2024 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.ADAM HAGY/NBAE VIA GETTY
In addition to criticism from fans, Bronny’s aptness for the league has been discussed among his fellow NBA players.
During the Lakers’ July 15 loss to the Boston Celtics, recent champion Jaylen Brown was caught on camera seemingly telling Kysre Gondrezick and Angel Reese, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro.”
Brown, 27, responded to the speculation in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) writing, “It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the nba it reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful I look forward to watching his growth.”
In a seemingly pointed response to Brown’s courtside confession, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren said Bronny “looked like a total pro” in the July 18 victory over Cleveland.
After Bronny was drafted on June 27, reporters asked him about the pressures of entering the NBA with high expectations.
“I’m … trying to get my name out for myself,” Bronny said in response, per the Associated Press.
LeBron James Says He Has ‘No Words’ After Son Bronny Is Drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers
The rookie added, “I just want to come in and get my work in and get better every day. I never really had a thought of me going to play with my dad,” he added per AP. “That’s always there to take part of, but it wasn’t a main focus of mine.”
LeBron, meanwhile, said getting to play on the “same floor” as his son is “the greatest thing that’s ever happened,” during a July 8 appearance on Today. “When it comes to basketball, it’s the greatest accomplishment that I’ve ever had,” the father of three said.
Bronny and the Lakers continue their Summer League schedule on Saturday, July 20 against the Chicago Bulls.
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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)
