Bronny James played in his first game as a Laker yesterday in the team’s 124-107 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. With a few more pre-season games in the books, Bronny spoke up on his initial experience and what he saw in his first game that might help him spark a breakthrough on the court.
Interviewer: “How would you describe your performance yesterday and what things do you want to work on for the rest of the pre-season?”
Bronny James: “It’s a game for new beginnings,” said Bronny via Jovan Buha. “It’s me just trying to go out there and get a feel for the game and get comfortable like how I did in Summer League. It’s the same thing — just go out there and figure things out.”
Interviewer: “Is there any feedback LeBron gave you after the game that you guys talked about?
Bronny James: “Yeah there was some stuff we talked about but I’d rather not go into detail. It’s just support. Keep working hard, keep confidence in yourself and stuff like that.”
There was a lot of noise when Bronny first arrived on the Lakers. Following a modest season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points per game, he was projected as a second-round pick and that’s where he ended up when the Lakers picked him up at 55 in the Draft.
The young guard has shown flashes of his potential before but he hasn’t shown enough to convince the critics that he’s ready for NBA action. In the Summer League, while Bronny did eventually get it going, he didn’t do much to alleviate concerns about his game and they still hover over his head to this day.
This week marked Bronny’s first pre-season game as a Laker and it was his latest chance to prove that he belongs. He came off the bench to play 16 minutes in the game, finishing with just 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist.
It wasn’t a great performance from James but he doesn’t look troubled at all by his struggles. In fact, with LeBron and JJ Redick in his corner, Bronny knows that he’ll be given a lot of time to improve his game and find a way to contribute in a meaningful way.
The key to success for him and his new team is patience. Even as the Lakers push to compete in the West, they will not rush Bronny’s development. Instead, they’ll take it slow and I’ve him enough time and space to hone his skills.
Initially, James Jr. will spend some time on the Lakers’ rotation in order to experience a game with his dad. But it won’t be long before he’s sent to the G-League, where he can get the most run time on the court and learn from his mistakes.
The important thing for Bronny is that he’s staying competitive on the floor and giving his full effort every minute that he’s on the court. As long as he plays with passion, there will always be a place for him in the rotation.
Thanks to his endless support and resources, the path to success is laid out for Bronny and it’s up to him to ensure that he makes the most of this lucrative opportunity.
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