Gilbert Arenas says Bronny James is the only reason people talk about the G-League — and he might not be wrong.
Since the Lakers’ preseason, it’s been clear Bronny needs more time to grow and gain confidence against NBA competition. But rather than sulk after being sent to the G-League, the former USC guard locked in and kept working — and now, Arenas says he’s basically running the show down there.
On his podcast “Agent Zero,” Arenas brushed off the critics, joking that most fans can’t even name other G-League players.
Arenas gives Bronny major props
In just 11 games with the South Bay Lakers, Bronny James has shown serious drive to earn a spot with the main squad. He’s been averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists — while hitting over 37% of his shots from deep.
Gilbert Arenas, recognizing Bronny’s rise, brushed aside the critics and pointed out that the Ohio-born guard is the reason people are even talking about the G-League. He praised Bronny for using early doubts as motivation, proving his worth through hard work and consistent improvement.
“They might as well rename the G-League after Bronny — he’s dominating out there,” Arenas said.
“Has anyone been talking about any other player? He is the G-League. You know how I can tell he’s killing it? Because now people are saying, ‘Oh, it’s just the G-League.’ Really? Then why is he packing arenas? Why is his jersey flying off the shelves? If a shoe drops, who’s leading G-League sales? It’s Bronny.”
Arenas Has Been in Bronny’s Corner Since Day One
This wasn’t the first time Arenas came to Bronny’s defense. In a previous episode of Gil’s Arena, he addressed the harsh criticism Bronny has faced during his short NBA stints — saying it’s unfair to expect big performances from a rookie getting just a few minutes per game.
“When have we ever attacked a rookie player?” Arenas asked. “Even No. 1 picks don’t look great playing one or two minutes. So why judge Bronny that way?”
Arenas backed up his case with numbers, pointing out that Bronny’s per-36 NBA stats project to 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists — solid numbers for any first-year player. He even suggested Bronny could be in the Rookie of the Year conversation if he were getting regular playing time.
To reinforce the point, Arenas compared Bronny’s situation to Kobe Bryant’s slow start with the Lakers: “Kobe barely scored in his first few games. “So if a Hall of Famer looked like that early on, why bash the 55th pick for the same?”
Bronny’s Game Is Catching Up to the Hype
After his best showing in a Lakers uniform, Bronny was reassigned to the G-League — and responded with a career-high 39 points in South Bay’s win over Santa Cruz. It was another sign of his rapid progress, especially considering he was recovering from a heart condition just a year ago.
While some still question if the hype is tied to his last name, Bronny is starting to quiet that noise with steady growth as a smart, two-way guard. A playoff role might be a stretch for now, but at 20, he’s proving he belongs — and could be building toward a real future in L.A.
