3× NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas is at it again. After defending Bronny James from critics, Arenas has now extended his support for the NBA Draft No. 2 pick. Alex Sarr’s lackluster performance in the Summer League has invited varied degrees of criticism. However, Arenas’ comments for the 19-year-old stemmed from a place of sympathy as he reflected on his early days.

In his podcast, Arenas pointed out how only a handful of young stars have historically shone brightly in the Summer League. He emphasized that this league presents a different and tougher challenge than what these young players are accustomed to. “No matter how good they were in college the line is further. This is their first real live games so they have to get adjusted to it,” he explained on Gil’s Arena.

He also noted that players like Sarr are still teenagers, competing against more experienced opponents. “What do I expect from a 20-year-old playing against dudes that are 23, 24, 25?” Arenas questioned.

Interestingly, Arenas shared his own story to illustrate his point. His first encounter with a higher-level guard was against Tyson Wheeler. Even though Arenas was just playing well, Wheeler had already spent three years playing overseas. This anecdote underscored the steep learning curve that young players face when transitioning to the professional level.

While Summer League performances might not impact the regular season, that hasn’t stopped Washington Wizards fans from expressing concern over Sarr’s struggles in Las Vegas. In his four Summer League games, Sarr managed just 22 PPG on a dismal 9-of-47 shooting from the field. These stats further highlight the challenges he faces and the time he needs to adjust to the professional game. Nonetheless, it seems like he has Arenas’ support just like Bronny James did.

Gilbert Arenas defends Bronny James amid criticism

In a recent podcast, Gilbert Arenas also stood up for Bronny James, drawing parallels between James’ early struggles and 3× NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown’s initial Summer League performance. He highlighted that the 2024 NBA champion also had a tough start, managing just five out of 26 shots in his first three games. “Bronny was 6 for 26? Jaylen Brown was 5 for 26 from the field in his first 3 games in summer league,” Arenas stated.

Moreover, Arenas emphasized that Bronny’s high-profile name brings undue criticism. He supported this claim by noting how the media was more lenient with Brown. “No one bashed him (Brown) and he was the third pick in the draft,” Arenas remarked, underscoring the double standard in how young players are treated based on their name and background.

Additionally, in a recent match against the Cleveland Cavaliers, fans rallied behind Bronny James. Bronny scored 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting, grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists, and blocked two shots, playing a crucial role in the Lakers’ victory. This performance silenced some critics and showcased his potential to contribute significantly to his team’s success.

However, as the rookies spend more time on the hardwood and adjust to the requirements of the professional league, one can hope that they will start to deliver stellar performances and slowly silence all the criticism that comes their way.