Gilbert Arenas Supports Bronny James’ Unique Influence in NBA

As Bronny James gears up for his rookie season in the NBA, his performance has come under intense scrutiny. However, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas suggests that evaluations of James may warrant a different perspective. During an episode of his “Gil’s Arena” podcast, the three-time NBA All-Star provided his viewpoint on how the young athlete, son of NBA legend LeBron James, should be assessed.

Arenas voiced that the focus should not only be on Bronny James’ basketball abilities but also on his influence as a social media figure. “Everybody’s judging the basketball game but nobody’s judging him as an influencer,” Arenas remarked. “You know, sometimes you’ve gotta look at it a little different. He’s an influencer playing basketball.”

James, selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, boasts substantial social media following, surpassing even NFL star Patrick Mahomes. Arenas highlighted this aspect, noting, “He has more followers on social media than Patrick Mahomes — he literally has more [followers] than a three-time NFL champion.” The Lakers rookie commands 8.1 million followers on Instagram, compared to Mahomes’ 6.8 million.

Through his initial preseason performances, James has averaged 1.0 point and 1.0 rebound per game while shooting only 12.5 percent from the field. These statistics reflect the growing pains typical of a new entrant to professional sports. Arenas underscored that the expectations from a 55th pick should be tempered, suggesting that similar critiques are not frequently directed at other second-round selections.

Former Laker DeMarcus Cousins voiced criticisms, suggesting the Lakers’ decision to draft James indicates a lack of competitive seriousness. Arenas countered this notion, saying, “To say the Lakers (are) not serious because they picked him at 55? Let me know who was a better choice at 55 that was going to help the franchise because I’m pretty sure that they were going to be cut just like most of the second round has been cut so far.”

In comparing James’ performance with that of his peers in the draft, Arenas emphasized that his stats are on par with other recent selections, except for fellow rookie Ariel Hukporti. Though the pressure remains high due to his familial connections, Arenas maintains that James’ greater impact may lie in his broader influence beyond the basketball court.