009 Club! Plus-Minus of -40! What Is Bronny’s True Level?

The NBA preseason is typically seen as a time to experiment with rosters, test new strategies, and for young players to showcase their talents in a low-stakes environment. However, when a player’s performance drops to certain lows, questions start to arise about their potential. Bronny, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has been one of the most-watched rookies entering the 2023-2024 season. But so far, his preseason performances have raised more concerns than excitement.

After three preseason games, Bronny has posted a cumulative plus-minus of -40, placing him dead last among all 494 players who have seen action in the 2023 NBA preseason. While it’s important to note that preseason games don't necessarily determine a player's future success, such a poor plus-minus stat does point to some real issues.

Struggles in Preseason Play

In the Lakers’ third preseason game, a 107-102 comeback win against the Milwaukee Bucks, Bronny’s struggles were on full display. He played just six minutes, went 0-for-4 from the field, including 0-for-2 from three-point range, and had no points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks. His plus-minus for the game was a staggering -12.

Bronny’s minutes came exclusively in the second half, with all four of his shot attempts coming in the fourth quarter. Ironically, the Lakers were trailing 74-89 before Bronny checked out of the game. In the next five minutes, the team went on a 20-0 run, erasing the deficit and eventually securing the win.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated performance. In his first two preseason games, Bronny also struggled mightily:

• Against the Minnesota Timberwolves: Played 16 minutes, shot 1-of-6 from the field, scored 2 points, grabbed 1 rebound, dished 1 assist, and blocked 3 shots, with a plus-minus of -12.
• Against the Phoenix Suns: Played 13 minutes, went 0-for-1 from the field, finishing with 0 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, and 4 turnovers, while posting a game-low plus-minus of -16.

Through these three games, Bronny has shot just 1-of-11 from the field, translating to a dismal 9% field goal percentage. His three-point shooting isn’t any better, going 0-of-4 from deep, and he hasn’t attempted a single free throw. Some online fans have humorously dubbed his performance as joining the “009 club,” a reference to his combined shooting percentage (field goals, three-pointers, and free throws all combined equating to 0% across the board).

Bright Spots Amid the Struggles

Despite these difficulties, there have been a few flashes of potential. In his preseason debut against the Timberwolves, Bronny managed to rack up 3 blocks, matching Minnesota's team total for that game. Two of his blocks came on fast-break chase-downs reminiscent of his father, which offered a glimpse of Bronny’s defensive capabilities.

Defense aside, Bronny’s biggest challenges seem to lie in his offensive game, particularly his shooting and playmaking. As a guard, it’s crucial that he excels in ball-handling, shooting, and creating opportunities for his teammates, yet these have been the areas where he has struggled most during the preseason.

A Look Back at the Summer League

Bronny’s struggles aren’t limited to just preseason action. In the 2023 NBA Summer League, he faced similar issues, particularly with his shooting. His performance over the first four games left much to be desired:

• Against the Sacramento Kings: Shot 2-of-9 from the field, finishing with 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
• Against the Miami Heat: Shot 1-of-3 from the field, scored 3 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and added 3 assists.
• Against the Houston Rockets: Shot 3-of-14 from the field, scored 8 points, with 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
• Against the Boston Celtics: Shot 1-of-5 from the field, scored 2 points, with 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

In these four games, Bronny shot a combined 7-of-31 from the field and 0-of-15 from three-point range, averaging just 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Fortunately, he finished the Summer League on a higher note, with better performances against the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers:

• Against the Hawks: Shot 5-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-5 from three, for 12 points.
• Against the Cavaliers: Shot 5-of-10 from the field, finishing with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.

When looking at his combined stats from both the Summer League and preseason, Bronny has played a total of 186 minutes across 9 games, shooting 18-of-63 from the field (28.6%) and 3-of-27 from three (11.1%). He has tallied 44 points, 24 rebounds, 10 assists, and 16 turnovers. For a player who was drafted 55th overall, this level of performance is not unusual, but it does highlight how much development is still needed.

The Case for Patience

It’s important to remember that Bronny was selected 55th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Players chosen at this stage of the draft aren’t typically expected to make an immediate impact in the NBA. In fact, most second-round picks often spend significant time developing in the G League or overseas before making a meaningful contribution to their teams.

Bronny is also just 19 years old and entering a league where the speed, physicality, and competition are vastly different from what he’s experienced before. While his shooting and decision-making leave much to be desired, there is still time for him to grow into a more consistent player.

The LeBron Factor

Inevitably, much of the conversation surrounding Bronny is tied to the influence of his father, LeBron James. Critics have pointed out that Bronny’s ability to secure a four-year, $7.9 million contract with the Lakers may have more to do with LeBron's presence than Bronny’s own potential. The first two years of Bronny’s contract are fully guaranteed, while the third year is partially guaranteed, and the fourth year is a team option.

It’s hard to ignore the business aspect of the NBA, where decisions are sometimes influenced by relationships and marketing potential as much as on-court performance. LeBron himself has stated that playing alongside his son is a dream, and there’s no doubt that the narrative of “father-son duo” generates significant interest and ticket sales.

While the Lakers will certainly benefit from the media attention and merchandise sales that come from having Bronny on the team, the question remains: how much will he actually contribute on the court?

The Road Ahead

Bronny’s early performances in the Summer League and preseason suggest that he has a long way to go before becoming a key rotation player for the Lakers. His shooting woes and inability to impact the game offensively are major concerns, especially for a player projected as a 3-and-D guard.

Given his current level of play, it’s unlikely that Bronny will see significant minutes during the regular season unless injuries or blowouts provide opportunities for him to get on the court. Even with the platform his father’s presence provides, Bronny will ultimately need to prove himself based on his own merits.

The father-son story is a beautiful narrative, but in the hyper-competitive world of the NBA, the clock is always ticking. Bronny may have earned his shot through more than just his talent, but how long he stays in the league will depend entirely on his ability to improve and contribute. Only time will tell if he can rise above his struggles and carve out a meaningful career in the NBA.