The Los Angeles Lakers‘ 107-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night drew more attention for Bronny James‘ near-invisible court time than the game itself.
With LeBron James resting and the Lakers short on depth, fans were left puzzled as the sophomore guard logged just a single minute, reigniting questions about head coach JJ Redick‘s rotation decisions, particularly his handling of the 21-year-old guard.
Bronny‘s Lakers minutes have been sporadic this season amid frequent assignments between the NBA and the G League’s South Bay Lakers.
Several Lakers followers took to social platforms during and after the game to question why James was given almost no opportunity to contribute in a stretched rotation.
One fan wrote directly to the coach, saying, “put Bronny in man,” while another insisted, “GIVE ME BRONNY MINUTES OVER NICK SMITH AND GABE VINCENT.”
Another perspective came from a supporter who noted that early in the season, outside one game, James “gave them quality minutes and was their second best on ball defender and 3rd best passer.”
Yet in the end, the sophomore guard logged just that single minute, a stat line of minimal consequence in a game where Doncic filled up the box score with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
San Antonio‘s bench, meanwhile, outscored Los Angeles‘ reserves by a wide margin, underscoring the depth gap that night.
Lakers’ depth, development and the Bronny question
Bronny‘s role with the Lakers has been a subject of ongoing conversation throughout this season and beyond.
Selected late in the draft mainly on his potential and pedigree, James has split time between the NBA’s Lakers and their G League affiliate as part of a developmental plan.
In the G League, he’s shown flashes: at times logging solid lines with points, assists, and defensive activity that hint at NBA readiness.
That assignment strategy was seen early as beneficial when James and his father, LeBron, made history as the first father-son duo to appear in an official NBA game together in 2024, a milestone that captivated fans and media alike.
However, in the Lakers‘ second year under Redick‘s leadership, James‘ NBA minutes have remained limited, subjecting both the coach and the young guard to public debate.
Critics argue that more consistent court time, even in tough matchups, could accelerate his growth.
Others counter that in the high-stakes environment of a playoff push, a 1.6 points per game bench player shooting under 32 percent from the field can’t be prioritized.
In the past, NBA legend Charles Barkley criticized the Lakers‘ handling of James, suggesting he wasn’t ready for the league and would benefit from G League development rather than bench minutes in Los Angeles.
Redick himself has publicly talked about James‘ progress and future potential in the league, emphasizing the guard’s work ethic and longterm upside, even as his NBA role remains limited.
