Gilbert Arenas, a three-time NBA All-Star, recently shared his unique perspective on Bronny James’ growing basketball career. During an episode of his podcast, Gil’s Arena, Arenas shifted the conversation from Bronny’s on-court performances to his impact off the court, labeling him as “an influencer playing basketball.”
Arenas explained his stance by highlighting Bronny’s immense social media following, which exceeds even that of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes. “He has more followers than a three-time NFL champion,” Arenas said, via Gilbert McGregor of The Sporting News. “His influence is really, really huge. He’s going to get chanted everywhere, this is not about his performance on basketball.”
Bronny, the eldest son of LeBron James, has indeed garnered significant attention, both for his skills on the court and his presence off of it. As Arenas suggested, this added layer of influence changes the way Bronny’s performances are perceived by fans and media alike. While his play is often critiqued, his social media presence and broader celebrity status place him in a unique category.
Bronny’s basketball journey has been under the microscope, and his performances, including his first NBA start in a preseason game, have faced intense scrutiny. In his first NBA start, Bronny played 35 minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 17 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and recording 3 steals. Despite his individual effort, the Lakers suffered a heavy 58-point loss to the Golden State Warriors, with a final score of 74-132.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick opted to rest many key players, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell, giving younger players like Bronny a chance to showcase their abilities. Bronny’s 17 points marked his best game of the preseason, significantly improving on his earlier performances, where he had scored a combined total of 8 points over four games.
Bronny’s time in college at USC brought about similar questions regarding his readiness for the professional stage. The freshman guard averaged just 4.8 points per game, ranking eighth on the team in scoring. Although his effort and work ethic were praised, concerns arose about his limited production and inconsistent shooting, which saw him shoot only 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range.
In the 2024 NBA Summer League, these concerns persisted as Bronny struggled with shooting consistency. He averaged 8.8 points per game but shot just 35% from the field and an alarming 15.8% from beyond the arc. These figures fueled skepticism regarding whether he was truly prepared for the next level of competition.
Arenas’ comments add a different layer to the conversation around Bronny’s career. While his on-court performances are often scrutinized, Arenas argues that Bronny’s immense influence as a social media figure changes the dynamic. “Everybody’s judging the basketball game, but nobody’s judging him as an influencer,” Arenas said. “Sometimes you’ve gotta look at it a little different.”
