Video: Lakers’ Bronny James defended by Metta World Peace amid NBA G League criticism | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

Retired Los Angeles Lakers star Metta World Peace doesn’t think Bronny James is “underperforming” in his first season in the NBA.

World Peace told TMZ Sports he is not worried about James’ start in the league and believes that competing in the NBA G League will be beneficial for the young guard.

“The G League is a great platform. So many great players and some maybe even future Hall of Famers came out of the G League,” he said. “… He’s a rookie and rookies play in the G League. I think that’s a good thing.”

There won’t be much argument from reasonable basketball fans that James is best served plying his trade primarily in the G League right now. In short, he doesn’t look like an NBA player yet. In 16 total NBA minutes with the Lakers, he has four points on 1-of-6 shooting and two assists.

The 20-year-old wasn’t all that inspiring in his G League debut either. He finished with six points, three rebounds, four assists and five turnovers in the South Bay Lakers’ 110-96 win over the Salt Lake City Stars on Nov. 9.

More than his tenure in the G League, it’s the extent to which James is willing to rotate between Los Angeles and the South Bay that draws criticism.

James will reportedly dress only in home games in the G League, which is a puzzling choice when he clearly needs in-game reps to continue developing. It only furthers the perception he gets preferential treatment thanks to being the son of LeBron James.

Perhaps James’ usage will evolve as the 2024-25 season unfolds.