Bronny James' initial NBA return to his hometown didn't exactly go well for the Los Angeles Lakers. JJ Redick's team was out-classed by the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers from the opening tip of Wednesday's highly anticipated matchup, falling 134-110 for a second straight loss. Facing a steep uphill climb from shortly after the opening tip, the Lakers ultimately scotched plans for Bronny to take the floor with his dad in front of a fawning Cleveland crowd, too.
The main silver lining from Wednesday's game for Los Angeles? That James managed his first NBA bucket, stepping back for a 15-foot jumper with just over two minutes remaining in a garbage-time fourth quarter. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images James memorialized his personal milestone by leaving Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse with the net from the rim on which his first career basket was scored. Would other late second-round picks be afforded that same commemorative luxury? Most fans don't seem to think so, flaming Bronny, LeBron James and the Lakers for what they deem as the rookie's ongoing special treatment.
Bronny James left with the net from the basket he scored his first NBA points on tonight. Really cool gesture by the #Cavs . pic.
twitter.com/wL9EbjK5Fh "That boy getting the Make A Wish kid treatment ," one social media user quipped. "Do they do this for every rookie that scores their first basket?" echoed another.
Other fans took more specific aim at LeBron's perceived influence behind the gesture. wow, did they film him cutti.