"Bronny looked pretty small": Skip Bayless sharply reacts to Lakers rookie Bronny James' NBA preseason debut
Skip Bayless has commented on Bronny James' NBA debut. As one of LeBron James’ biggest critics, Bayless watched the LA Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves open their preseasons in California. Like most basketball fans, the veteran sports analyst waited for James Jr. to suit up.
Lakers coach JJ Redick inserted the younger James in the second quarter. He played with his team’s second stringers against the mostly veteran bench players of the Timberwolves.
Following the combo guard’s six-minute, second-quarter outing, Bayless commented:
“Bronny looked pretty small out there, 6-foot-1 and a half, didn’t look super athletic [and] had three pretty awkward shots. Dad’s over there on the bench parting aside his lips. I’m sure it was driving him crazy, tearing him apart after watching his son playing without being able to contribute.”
Skip Bayless saw Bronny James miss all three of his shots, including a floater that didn’t hit anything. James Jr. also had an ugly turnover but made it for it with a block and a nifty pass to Rui Hachimura that resulted in a 3-pointer.
It shouldn’t surprise Bayless to see the former USC guard look small in the NBA. He was listed as 6-foot-4 when he played for the Trojans, but the NBA Combine noted he was 6-1.5 inches without shoes. The difference is significant for a shooting guard who wants to be an elite 3-and-D player.
Skip Bayless waits for Bronny James to play with his father LeBron James on Sunday
LeBron James did not suit up in the LA Lakers’ preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The four-time MVP’s unavailability robbed fans of the chance to see the veteran team up with his son, Bronny James. History will have to wait for probably a few more days as the Lakers have five more preseason games.
Skip Bayless had this to say about that inevitable historic moment, particularly for James Jr.:
“I’m holding out hope. I just want to see Bronny and Bron on the court together. I think the kid was born to play alongside his father. Did he look a little out of place tonight? Yeah, but I wanna see him Sunday in a real live game with his dad in the NBA.”
The LA Lakers will play the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.