Bronny James silences critics with career-high 17 points, surpasses Ben Simmons in three-pointers

On March 21, 2025, Bronny James, the 19-year-old rookie guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, dropped a career-high 17 points against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin — and in doing so, he didn’t just win a game. He buried a narrative that had clung to him since the draft. Critics called him a legacy pick. They questioned his readiness. But after hitting three three-pointers that night, James officially surpassed Benjamin David Simmons in career three-pointers made — in just 22 games.

From Draft Skepticism to Shooting Milestone

Bronny James was selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, a pick many dismissed as a sentimental move by the Lakers, owned by Jeanie Buss and Guggenheim Baseball Management LLC. His father, LeBron Raymone James Sr., is a global icon, a Lakers co-owner, and one of the greatest players ever. That connection made every stat, every miss, every make scrutinized. But James didn’t need hype. He needed shots — and he made them count.

By the final buzzer in Milwaukee, James had converted 7 of 26 three-point attempts — a 26.9% clip that might seem modest, but it’s more than Simmons, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick, ever managed in nearly 400 games. Simmons, now with the Brooklyn Nets, had attempted 32 threes in his entire career… and missed them all. Zero. Not one. Not even a lucky bounce off the rim.

The Numbers That Changed the Conversation

The comparison isn’t just about volume — it’s about efficiency. According to Land of Basketball, a Philadelphia-based analytics platform, James’ true shooting percentage stood at 52.3% through March 21, 2025 — higher than Simmons’ 50.1%, despite James averaging just 2.7 points per game versus Simmons’ 6.9. Why? Because James shoots from outside. Simmons doesn’t. Not ever.

Simmons, born in Melbourne, Australia, is a physical marvel — a 6’10" playmaker who dominates the paint. But his inability to shoot from distance became a tactical liability. James, born in Cleveland, Ohio, is a different kind of prospect: a guard who stretches the floor. In 22 games, he made more threes than Simmons did in 399. That’s not luck. That’s a skill gap.

“Not only does Bronny James have more three-pointers than Ben Simmons,” wrote Last Word on Sports on March 21, “but he also has better career efficiency.” The article didn’t exaggerate. James’ 7 threes came in a rookie season where he was still learning NBA pace, defense, and spacing. Simmons, meanwhile, had seven full seasons to develop — and chose not to shoot.

Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score

This isn’t just a stat line. It’s cultural. James entered the league under a microscope. Every miss was called “entitlement.” Every make was called “fluke.” But when he dropped 17 points — including a clutch three late in the fourth — fans on X (formerly Twitter) didn’t just cheer. They declared victory. “Bronny silenced the haters tonight!” read one viral post, echoing hundreds of others.

The financial contrast added irony. James earns $5.58 million under his rookie scale contract. Simmons, despite his lack of shooting, made $40.3 million in the 2024-2025 season. The Lakers didn’t pay James to be a star — they paid him to be a possibility. And on March 21, that possibility became proof.

What’s Next for Bronny James?

The 2024-2025 NBA season ends April 13, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Land of Basketball continues to update its James-Simmons comparison tool after every Lakers game. James has already outperformed Simmons in a metric Simmons’ entire career couldn’t touch. What happens if he keeps shooting? What if he hits 15 threes by season’s end? 20?

The NBA doesn’t hand out awards for outshooting a former No. 1 pick. But it does reward players who redefine expectations. James isn’t trying to be his father. He’s trying to be himself — and for the first time, the league is starting to see him that way.

Historical Context: Legacy vs. Legitimacy

This isn’t the first time a son of a legend faced skepticism. Kobe Bryant’s son, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sons — they all walked into the league with baggage. But Bronny’s case was unique: his father wasn’t just famous. He was a co-owner of the team that drafted him. That created a perception of conflict — even if the Lakers’ front office insisted it was merit-based.

LeBron James Sr. has publicly said he never pushed his son into the league. “He earned his spot,” he told ESPN in January. “I didn’t write his name on the draft board.” But fans don’t always believe what owners say. They believe what they see. And what they saw on March 21 was a young man who didn’t need his father’s name to make a statement.