Bronny James may still be in the early stages of his NBA journey, but his mindset and commitment to improvement are already evident. Following the Los Angeles Lakers‘ hard-fought 131-126 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the rookie guard spoke candidly about his growth, the challenges of being in the spotlight, and his determination to stay ready when called upon.
With the Lakers missing several key players—including LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes—Bronny received 16 minutes of playing time, his most extended run of the season at the NBA level. He finished with five points, two rebounds, and a steal, showcasing his defensive energy and knocking down a three-pointer over reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.
After the game, Bronny acknowledged the challenges of stepping into a bigger role but emphasized the importance of staying prepared.
“I just think the main thing was just fighting. We were down some guys, just playing as hard as we could, making sure we were doing all the right things, executing the right plays, and just going out there and giving maximum effort. We’ll have games like this where it doesn’t end up in our favor, but it’ll be a learning experience.”
His time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League has been instrumental in his development. While his NBA stats remain modest, his performances in the G League have shown promise. Averaging over 20.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game with South Bay, Bronny has been able to refine his offensive game while continuing to grow as a defender.
“Yeah, I’m always trying to stay ready as much as I can, whether I’m playing in the G League or up here with the big guys. I’m always trying to stay ready. We have stay-ready games at practice and stuff like that, so I’m always prepared to go out and give my full effort.”
Despite being the son of one of the greatest players in basketball history, Bronny has taken a methodical approach to his career. He understands that expectations will always be high, but he remains focused on playing his role and contributing in any way possible.
“I always try to stay as low-key as I can—whether that’s with the media, in life in general—but just putting in the work behind the scenes has been really good for me. I worked all summer before the draft, and I’m still working now, so I can see the improvement. It’s been going well for me.”
This poised response comes just days after his father, LeBron James, made headlines for confronting ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith. Smith had publicly criticized Bronny’s NBA future following a disappointing performance a few weeks ago, stating that LeBron should “stop this experiment” and prevent his son from continuing his professional basketball career.
LeBron, a proud father who rarely lets personal attacks on his family slide, directly approached Smith during a Lakers game, making it clear that he would not tolerate his son being used as a scapegoat for media narratives.
Through it all, Bronny has remained professional and focused. Despite being the son of one of the greatest players in basketball history, he has taken a methodical approach to his career, understanding that expectations will always be high. Instead of engaging in the controversy, he continues to let his work speak for itself.
Bronny also spoke highly of his teammate Dalton Knecht, who has been another bright spot for the Lakers.
“I mean, especially playing with him for the first time in Summer League, that was amazing. I’m just so proud of him, seeing his growth as a basketball player and as a person. Yeah, that’s my guy. We have a good relationship on and off the court, so I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to grow.”
While the Lakers ultimately fell short against the Nuggets, Bronny’s performance was a reminder that his development is progressing steadily. The minutes he earned in Denver might be just the beginning of a larger role down the stretch, especially if the Lakers continue to battle injuries.
“Yeah, I thought I was pretty good. As you know, the role I’m playing—being a defensive guy, making the right plays, knocking down a couple of threes—that’s what I’m focusing on. Just filling a role.”
“I feel like that’s my biggest thing right now, just showing that I can play the role my team needs. Obviously, we were down some guys, but I was ready whenever I had to go out and play.”
With a strong work ethic and a grounded mindset, Bronny is proving that he is not just LeBron James’ son—he’s carving his own path, step by step, behind the scenes.
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