The spotlight on Bronny James is arguably one of the most intense in professional sports. As the son of a basketball legend, every dribble, every shot, and every stat line is dissected with a magnifying glass. His recent preseason debut for the Los Angeles Lakers offered a stark example: a 1-for-12 shooting performance, a statistic that, in isolation, might paint a grim picture. Yet, for those within the Lakers` organization, particularly Head Coach JJ Redick, the numbers tell only a fraction of the story. The real narrative, it seems, is unfolding behind the scenes, a testament to significant offseason growth and burgeoning confidence.
The Preseason Paradox: Stats vs. Substance
A stat line of 1-for-12 from the field, resulting in five points primarily from the free-throw line, is not what one typically expects from a player poised to make a leap. Against the Phoenix Suns, James certainly struggled to find his rhythm offensively. His lone field goal was a three-pointer, a brief flicker in an otherwise challenging shooting night. Such performances often invite immediate criticism and question marks, especially for a player of Bronny`s profile. However, judging a player solely on a preseason box score—a period dedicated to experimentation and shaking off rust—can be akin to judging a complex novel by its prologue. It highlights a critical distinction between immediate, quantifiable output and the deeper, developmental strides occurring out of public view.
JJ Redick`s Candid Assessment: A “Totally Different Player”
Coach Redick, a former sharpshooter now at the helm of the Lakers` strategic vision, offers a far more optimistic and nuanced perspective. He isn`t focused on the immediate output but on the underlying developmental shifts. “He is so much more comfortable and confident as a player,” Redick stated emphatically. This isn`t merely coach-speak; it`s a direct observation of a player who appears to have absorbed and applied the lessons from his rookie year, shedding some of the understandable hesitancy that often accompanies a high-profile transition to professional basketball.
Redick elaborated on specific areas of improvement: “Skill-wise, read-wise, all of those things have improved.” The transition from individual workouts and small-group settings to the high-intensity environment of 5-on-5 basketball is a significant hurdle, one Redick believes James is now clearing with greater ease. “All of September and in our first three days of camp, he just looks more comfortable and confident. He`s a totally different player than he was a year ago,” he affirmed. This sentiment suggests a foundational shift, not just a superficial tweak, indicating a more profound assimilation into the professional game.
The G-League Crucible: Forging a Foundation
Last season, Bronny James was a minimal contributor to the Lakers` main roster, averaging a modest 6.7 minutes across 27 appearances. A significant portion of his rookie year was spent in the G League with the South Bay Lakers, a stint that now appears to have been instrumental. There, away from the blinding glare of the NBA, he flourished, averaging 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game over 11 outings. This G-League experience, as Redick notes, was “huge for him in just developing a comfort level with playing at this level.” It provided a crucial proving ground, allowing him to hone his skills and confidence without the immediate, intense pressure of NBA expectations, demonstrating the value of a structured developmental pathway.
The Path Forward: Defensive Impact and Offensive Feel
While his offensive numbers in the preseason opener might not turn heads, the coaching staff is keenly focused on James`s defensive potential. “He`s going to have to be an impact defender, so it`s really about the conditioning and knowing our defenses and being disruptive,” Redick emphasized. This strategic focus highlights a clear pathway for James to earn significant minutes at the NBA level: becoming a tenacious, high-energy defender. Assistant coach Nate McMillan`s earlier summer remarks about Bronny potentially earning NBA minutes in his sophomore campaign seem to align with this defensive emphasis, suggesting a role defined by grit and strategic execution.
Beyond defense, Redick also praised James`s improved offensive “feel,” particularly his use of “chase action” to create thrust and pace in the half-court. This suggests a more intuitive understanding of offensive schemes and player movement, a critical component for guards in modern basketball. The growth in this area, according to Redick, is “really, really happy with,” hinting at a blossoming offensive repertoire that extends beyond mere scoring.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
The journey of a young NBA player, especially one under such intense scrutiny, is rarely linear. Bronny James`s preseason debut serves as a powerful reminder that development is a process, often characterized by peaks and valleys. While the box score reflected a struggle, the insights from the Lakers` coaching staff paint a picture of a player evolving, gaining confidence, and working diligently on foundational skills. The Lakers, it seems, are playing the long game, patiently nurturing a talent who, despite the initial numbers, is showing all the signs of significant, unseen progress. The question isn`t if he will make an impact, but when and how he will fully harness his expanding capabilities on the grand stage, turning potential into tangible contribution.
Jasper Hawthorne