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Kwame Brown and Gilbert Arenas Clash Over Bronny James's Lakers Spot

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 2:26 PM ET

On a recent episode of Kwame Brown Bust Life, former NBA players Kwame Brown and Gilbert Arenas got into a heated exchange about Bronny James's role with the Lakers, with Brown suggesting the team should cut the rookie in favor of G League standout Quincy Olivari.

Brown's criticism comes as Bronny continues to struggle, managing just 10 points across 57 minutes in his G League appearances while shooting an abysmal 4-of-19 from the field. Meanwhile, Olivari has been lighting it up in the G League, averaging 23.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.

"We've got a kid who does not deserve his job," Brown argued. "Why can't they just cut Bronny and bring up Quincy, somebody to help the Lakers? They just got their a** whooped by 25." (The Lakers were handed a brutal smackdown by the Timberwolves on Monday night).

The conversation turned heated when Brown accused Arenas of making the situation about race. "You said on your show that I was attacking a young black man the same way that I got attacked," Brown said. "I'm pointing out that that's weak. This race s**t don't have nothing to do with nothing because the young man who didn't get an opportunity is black."

Arenas fired back, defending both players while highlighting Olivari's journey. "Let me show you the difference between mindsets," Arenas explained. "Quincy earned a job when he got put onto the Lakers summer team league there was no roster spots. He ended up making the preseason team he played so well, but because there were no spots, they had to cut someone."

But Brown wasn't having it. "That's the problem. It should have been a spot. It shouldn't have been guaranteed for Bronny," he countered. "Bronny should have been cut by now and he [Olivari] shouldn't have to be gracious or grateful for s**t. It's a competition."

With Bronny's struggles mounting and Olivari's G League numbers demanding greater attention, this won't be the last time we hear this debate about the Lakers' roster decisions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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