Wisconsin HC Doug Gottlieb has blunt response to potentially starting LeBron James’ son Bronny James - “He wouldnt be my point”
Doug Gottlieb was appointed the head coach of Wisconsin-Green Bay basketball in May 2024. This is the first time he is coaching a college basketball team. However, he has grabbed headlines for his blunt comment about LeBron James' son, Bronny James.
There are already enough people who think that Bronny is not yet ready for the NBA, despite the Lakers selecting him as the 55th pick in the draft, and now Gottlieb also joined the debate surrounding Bronny on social media.
On Saturday, Gottlieb replied to a fan on Twitter, when asked if Bronny would make it into his starting five.
"He would compete to start, but while I like how he moves the ball and defends, he wouldn't be my point, and my wings are bigger and without seeing him w/us, I think it would be hard for him to start TBH," Gottlieb reposted with the comment.
The Green Bay Phoenix named Gottlieb their head coach, replacing Sundance Wicks. Besides, he does have prior coaching experience. He led Team USA basketball at the 2017 Maccabiah Games, helping them win a gold medal. He also served as an assistant under coach Bruce Pearl for the US national team.
Bronny has received a lot of criticism over the last few months. So far, he has not done much to prove them wrong. In the NBA Summer League, the 19-year-old has found it hard to get into his groove. He scored eight points, five rebounds, and got two steals in Friday’s game against Houston.
"I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play — no matter what level I’m playing at," James said after Laker's loss to the Rockets.
Doug Gottlieb compares his situation with Warriors hiring Steve Kerr
Doug Gottlieb responded to the criticism suggesting that his lack of experience makes him unsuitable to be the head coach of Wisconsin.
"Steve Kerr had never blown a whistle a day in his life before he took over the Warriors," Doug Gottlieb said. "I think that's worked out OK. Fred Hoiberg coached at his alma mater [Iowa State] after being in the front office in Minnesota for a year. And that worked out OK."
Additionally, Gottlieb said that he can effortlessly juggle both coaching the Green Bay basketball team and hosting his sports radio program on Fox.