Charles Barkley Criticizes Lakers Over ‘Awful’ Handling of Bronny James
NBA legend Charles Barkley didn’t hold back his criticism of the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to shuffle rookie Bronny James between the NBA team and their G League squad. Barkley, known for his candid opinions, called the Lakers’ plan “awful” and argued that Bronny isn’t ready to play in the NBA.
In a recent appearance on the Bettor Angle podcast, Barkley expressed his disappointment with the way the Lakers and LeBron James, Bronny’s father, have handled the young player’s transition to the professional basketball scene.
Barkley’s Strong Words: “He’s Not Ready for the NBA”
Barkley didn’t mince words when discussing the Lakers’ approach to Bronny’s development. “They’ve handled it awful,” Barkley stated bluntly. “I thought it was great, a little ceremony for his first game. But the kid is not ready to play in the NBA.”
Barkley criticized the Lakers for allowing Bronny to split time between the South Bay Lakers (their G League affiliate) and the NBA squad, pointing out that this arrangement isn’t conducive to his growth. “He should be in the G League, so he can play basketball,” Barkley added. “He’s not going to get better sitting on the bench. This thing where he’s only gonna play home games? It’s stupid.”
Barkley further elaborated on how unfair this situation is for both Bronny and the Lakers organization. “Can you imagine the coach of that team?” Barkley asked. “It’s not fair to him, it’s not fair to the team.”
The Impact on Bronny and the Lakers’ Reputation
Barkley’s criticism didn’t stop at the handling of the rookie’s playing time. He also discussed the negative light this decision casts on the Lakers and LeBron James. “You come off a road trip and there’s a player you ain’t seen in a week or two. And then you feel like you probably gotta play him,” Barkley said, emphasizing how difficult the arrangement must be for the team.
He added, “I don’t think they’re doing Bronny any favors and they just handled this thing really bad. It’s a bad look for the Lakers and I honestly think — I really like everything LeBron’s done — this is a bad look for him, in my opinion.”
Bronny’s G League Stats and Perceived Special Treatment
Bronny James has seen limited action with the South Bay Lakers in the G League so far, playing two games where he averaged five points and three assists in 28.5 minutes per game, according to Sports Illustrated.
Despite his relatively modest performance, many sports commentators have criticized the special treatment Bronny has received. The Lakers’ decision to only have him play home games with the G League has raised eyebrows among experts, who argue that it gives the young player an unfair advantage compared to other rookies.
The Lakers’ Plan for Bronny James: A Fluid Strategy
The Lakers officially announced on November 7, 2023, that Bronny James would join the South Bay Lakers roster, a move that had been anticipated since the start of his time with the team. According to Lakers coach JJ Redick, this strategy was part of the long-term plan for Bronny. “The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one,” Redick stated.
However, Redick also emphasized that the team’s plans are fluid and subject to change based on performance. “Those plans could change,” he said, “Our plans are always fluid based on real-time.”
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on how the Lakers handle Bronny’s development and whether this approach will help him make the jump to the NBA or hinder his growth as a player.