JJ Redick, the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, recently spoke on Sirius XM Radio about Bronny James’ role on the team, emphasizing his development and defensive potential. Redick highlighted that Bronny is being viewed as a development player who will split his time between the Lakers and the G League. This dual approach aims to build a comprehensive player development program, with Bronny being a significant part of that process.
“Yeah, Bronny and I have had a number of conversations. I actually had a conversation with him yesterday after practice and he is a development player. That’s how we’re looking at Bronny. He’s certainly going to spend time with the Lakers. He will spend time as well in the G League.”
“You know, as we sort of build out our player development program, he’s going to be an important part of that. And what I’ve communicated to him right now, what we’re looking for, is defensive ball pressure. I told him this yesterday. I said, I don’t care if you have 10 fouls, I don’t care if you get blown by.”
“What I do care about is if you’re on the ball and you’re three feet off the ball. Like you have to be a guy that’s a ball hawk at all times. We’re going to develop his shot, we’ll develop his ball skills. He’s already got a great feel. He has a really good instinctive nature on the defensive end.”
“I thought the third game in the Cali Classic, he made eight or nine really good defensive plays. We used the example yesterday.”
“We were at the Canada-USA basketball exhibition game and I turned to one of our assistant coaches during the game and I said, I think Lou Dort just single-handedly broke up the eighth possession of the game.”
“Like his impact, you can’t get into your offense sometimes, the shot clock winds down because of his ball pressure, he literally blows up entire plays because of that pressure and I really believe this. Bronny eventually will be that guy.”
“[Lou Dort’s] impact – you can’t get into your offense sometimes. The shot clock winds down because of his ball pressure…Bronny eventually will be that guy”
JJ Redick wants to see Bronny James focus on defense as he talks with @TermineRadio, Ryan McDonough, and @Jumpshot8. pic.twitter.com/hJ28D3J1Qp
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 13, 2024
Redick has been clear about his expectations for Bronny, particularly focusing on defensive ball pressure. He has instructed Bronny to be relentless on the ball, prioritizing defensive intensity over immediate results.
Redick praised Bronny’s natural defensive instincts and cited his performance in the Cali Classic, where he made several key defensive plays. He compared Bronny’s potential impact to that of Oklahoma City Thunder’s Lou Dort, whose defensive pressure disrupts opponents’ offensive setups.
During the NBA Summer League, Bronny has shown promise on defense, averaging 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. His best defensive game so far included three blocks, two steals, and five rebounds against the Miami Heat. Despite struggling with his shooting, Bronny’s defensive capabilities have stood out, aligning with Bleacher Report’s scouting report that he could assume a three-and-D role with the Lakers.
Redick’s message to Bronny underscores the importance of defensive pressure and development. As Bronny continues to grow, he is expected to start the season with the Lakers but will spend significant time in the G League to further hone his skills. For now, Bronny aims to leave a mark in the Summer League, showcasing his defensive prowess and potential as a valuable asset for the Lakers‘ future.
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