Following a Lakers practice session on Tuesday, young rookie Bronny James spoke candidly on his pre-season performance and broke down some aspects of his game that he’d like to see improve. Overall, Bronny says that he feels good entering the 2024-25 season and that while his numbers could be better, he must not lose the confidence that brought him here in the first place.
“Just getting comfortable, going out there and getting reps,” said Bronny via Dave McMenamin. “I feel like that’s the most important thing, just to grow my confidence and be more comfortable while I’m out there playing. I feel good. The numbers could be better. I just got to get my confidence up.”
At just 19 years old, Bronny James is still very much a work in progress and the priority for him is to simply get comfortable when he’s on the court. Clearly, scoring has been a problem for James and there’s an idea that it has to do with his lack of confidence after tip-off.
Dave McMenamin: “Is there a difference in your confidence in practice situations than games that just maybe haven’t translated yet?”
Bronny James: “Yeah, for sure. It’s a totally different game, especially out in arenas like this. I’m just trying to get myself comfortable as much as I can.”
Bronny’s arrival to the Lakers accomplished a longtime dream of LeBron James and after signing a four-year rookie deal, the father-son duo are set to play together for the next couple of years. Unfortunately for James Jr., the transition to the NBA hasn’t been so easy.
After averaging 4.8 points per game at USC, and posting a mixed performance at Summer League, it’s clear that Bronny will have to work hard to carve out a place in the NBA and many still aren’t sold that he can become an NBA-level player.
NBA pre-season was the last chance for James to quell some of the nerves before the start of the season but it’s just been more of the same. Through 3 games, Bronny is averaging 0.7 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game on just 9.1% shooting. James is 0-4 from three including on Thursday against the Bucks when he went scoreless in over six minutes of play.
So far, Bronny has made little to no impact on the floor and he very much looks like a prospect that will need to spend much of his rookie season in the G-League. Between his poor shooting and compromised decision-making, Bronny is struggling right now and the signs have not been good.
Despite the declining situation, however, James Jr. still has faith that he can rise to the occasion. After navigating the celebrity spotlight growing up, James is used to the pressure and he knows the work involved with sustaining greatness.
Instead of panicking or trying to force the issue, Bronny is simply being patient with himself as he learns the NBA scene. Once he gets comfortable in the pros, the court will open up in new ways for Bronny and we might see a level to his game we’ve never seen before.
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