Despite a challenging preseason debut where he struggled with his shooting, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed immense satisfaction with Bronny James` significant progress during the offseason. The former second-round pick`s growth, which began in Summer League and continued into training camp, was evident to Redick, even if it didn`t reflect in the box score during the Lakers` 103-81 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
James managed only 1-for-12 from the field in his first preseason appearance, scoring five of his eight points from the free-throw line, with his sole made field goal being a three-pointer.
“He`s much more comfortable and confident as a player now,” Redick stated. “His skills and understanding of the game have all improved. There`s a big difference, though, between improving in individual or small group settings and doing it in a 5-on-5 game. But throughout September and our initial three days of camp, he has simply looked more at ease and self-assured. He is a completely different player compared to a year ago.”
As a rookie, James was a minor contributor to the Lakers, averaging only 6.7 minutes across 27 games. He spent a significant portion of that season in the G League, where he truly excelled. There, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game over 11 contests, showcasing his capabilities on both ends of the court.
While it`s uncertain if James will begin his sophomore season on the Lakers` main roster or continue his development in the G League, assistant coach Nate McMillan hinted this summer that LeBron James` son could earn NBA minutes.
Redick further commented on James` G League experience: “I believe his work last year with South Bay and Zach (Guthrie)`s staff was crucial for him in building comfort at this level. Regarding his development, he will need to be an impactful defender, so it`s really about his conditioning, understanding our defensive schemes, and being disruptive. That`s where I hope to see even more growth this year.”
Only fellow second-year player Dalton Knecht saw more playing time than James in the preseason opener, and Knecht also had a difficult shooting night. This preseason could be vital for both players as the Lakers assess the potential of their 2024 draft picks.
“I`ve discussed his `chase action` with him a bit,” Redick added. “He`s such a dynamic mover. He has generated a lot of drive and pace for us in the half-court using that chase. His offensive feel, compared to last year, is significantly higher. I am truly very pleased with his progress in that area.”
