The expectations on him have been immense, given his father’s towering legacy.
However, recent performances—particularly in the Summer League and preseason—have left many basketball enthusiasts scratching their heads, wondering whether Bronny James is truly cut out for the NBA.
Some analysts have gone so far as to label his game as completely “useless,” citing his decision-making, lack of offensive contribution, and overall impact on the floor as areas of concern.
In this critical breakdown, we explore some of the glaring issues in Bronny’s game that have led to these strong reactions.
While there may still be room for growth, his current trajectory raises legitimate doubts about whether he will live up to the hype or carve out a meaningful role in the league.
Poor Decision-Making and Lack of Awareness
One of the most striking criticisms against Bronny James is his apparent inability to make smart decisions during games.
Whether it’s failing to push the ball up the floor or holding onto it for too long, his lack of court awareness often results in turnovers and wasted possessions.
For instance, during a recent game, instead of passing the ball up to his father, LeBron James, who thrives in transition, Bronny fumbled the opportunity and turned the ball over.
LeBron, known for being nearly unstoppable when charging downhill with a full head of steam, was wide open in transition, but Bronny’s hesitation cost his team an easy basket.
Bronny’s inability to execute basic basketball fundamentals, such as initiating the offense properly or knowing when to pass or drive, reflects his lack of understanding of the flow of the game.
His hesitation is evident, particularly in pick-and-roll situations, where he either misreads the defense or makes the wrong decision.
He’s often seen picking up his dribble prematurely, allowing defenders to close in and disrupt the play, further proving his struggles with reading the floor.
Inability to Run the Pick-and-Roll Effectively
Running the pick-and-roll is one of the most crucial offensive sets in modern basketball.
Yet, Bronny seems clueless in this area. Multiple times, he has failed to capitalize on advantageous situations created by the pick, either by not keeping his defender in “jail” (holding them behind him as he drives) or by failing to read the defense properly.
His inability to make the correct reads during the pick-and-roll sequence makes him a liability, as he either picks up his dribble too early, leading to a turnover, or fails to create scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates.
For example, in a simple pick-and-roll action with Jackson Hayes, Bronny could have either driven downhill or lobbed the ball to the rolling big man for an easy dunk.
Instead, he opted for a clumsy turnover, killing the momentum and wasting the offensive possession.
Such mistakes make it clear that Bronny lacks the basketball IQ required to excel in one of the most fundamental plays in the NBA.
Lack of Spacing and Poor Offensive Awareness
One of the most baffling aspects of Bronny’s game is his tendency to clog up the offense rather than create space for others.
There are countless examples where Bronny positions himself in ways that hinder his team’s offensive flow.
Whether it’s standing on the strong side when he should be moving to the weak side or cutting at the wrong time, his poor positioning forces his teammates into difficult situations.
One specific instance was during an isolation play for LeBron James.
Bronny, instead of spacing the floor to allow his father room to operate, decided to cut through the paint, bringing his defender directly into the play and enabling a double-team on LeBron.
This kind of basketball IQ blunder not only disrupts the offensive rhythm but also makes it easier for the opposing defense to collapse and cause turnovers.
Shooting Struggles: Clanking Threes
If there’s one thing that is abundantly clear, it’s that Bronny James cannot shoot.
His shooting struggles have been glaring since Summer League, and they have continued into the preseason.
Opposing defenses know this and consistently go under screens, daring him to shoot, fully aware that he’s unlikely to make them pay.
A player who can’t shoot is a huge liability in today’s NBA, where spacing and the ability to knock down threes are critical.
Bronny’s inability to shoot forces defenders to sag off him, which not only shuts down his own scoring opportunities but also clogs up space for his teammates.
The lack of shooting prowess is compounded by his questionable shot selection.
Instead of waiting for a better opportunity or creating a higher-percentage look, Bronny often jacks up ill-advised three-pointers, leading to frequent “clanks” off the rim.
Transition Woes: Failure to Run the Floor
In transition, one of the most basic fundamentals of basketball is to run the floor and create easy scoring opportunities.
However, Bronny has shown a consistent failure to do this.
On multiple occasions, he has been criticized for not sprinting down the floor and filling his lane, even when his team has a clear numbers advantage.
This lack of urgency is baffling, especially given how critical transition baskets are in the fast-paced NBA.
In one sequence, while the Lakers had a clear five-on-four transition opportunity, Bronny failed to run the floor, allowing the defense to recover.
Had he sprinted to his lane, he could have received a pass for an easy layup or dunk.
Instead, he jogged, costing his team a golden scoring chance.
Defensive Lapses
Bronny’s struggles are not confined to the offensive end.
Defensively, he is often out of position, allowing his man to beat him backdoor or failing to rotate properly.
One particularly glaring example was when his back was turned to the ball, allowing his opponent to easily cut behind him for a backdoor layup.
On ball screens, Bronny often fails to chase over the top or position himself properly to contest shots.
This lack of defensive discipline makes him an easy target for opponents, who often exploit his poor positioning for easy baskets.
Conclusion
Bronny James may carry a famous last name, but his performances thus far have been far from impressive.
His poor decision-making, lack of offensive awareness, and inability to shoot have rendered him a liability on the court.
While he may still have time to develop, the current state of his game raises serious questions about whether he will ever be able to contribute meaningfully at the NBA level.
At this point, it’s hard to see Bronny James as anything other than a burden to his team.
Whether it’s failing to execute simple basketball principles, turning the ball over in crucial moments, or simply not putting in the effort to run the floor, Bronny has a long way to go before he can even begin to approach the level expected of him.
In the meantime, his presence on the court continues to feel more like a hindrance than a help, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering if Bronny James is, in fact, completely useless as a basketball player.
