LOS ANGELES — If you say the word Bronny James to any NBA fan, it will warrant a reaction.
What kind of response you will get will vary from ridiculous talking head chatter to the reasonable expectations a person should have for an NBA player selected with the No. 55 pick in the draft.
The question is, what kind of player will Bronny actually turn into?
In Thursday’s blowout loss, we caught a glimpse of Bronny’s upside. He ended the night with 17 points, three rebounds and five assists, tying for team-high honors in both points and assists.
The performance was his best for L.A., but for those watching him with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, this play was expected once Bronny was given a chance.
We’ve obviously monitored him in the G [League] and feel like he’s in those sort of end-game situations when he’s gotten a chance to play with us, he’s been really good,” Redick said. “So, not surprised by tonight. And I think his confidence is growing.
“You’ve mentioned the word comfort. That’s certainly there for him and I think the next step is just becoming an elite-conditioned athlete. Cause when he does that with his physical tools and just his burst and his handle — and we think he’s gonna be an above-average to really good NBA shooter — he’s going to have a chance to really make an impact.
In South Bay, Bronny has been making that impact. He’s averaging 20.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists across nine regular season games. Bronny has also had standout moments, such as his 30-point performance on the road, and now he’s displayed some of that scoring ability in an actual NBA game.
The criticism surrounding Bronny has been unprecedented and, frankly, unwarranted, but through it all, he hasn’t let it disrupt his development.
“Since day one, I’ve just been impressed with the person that he is, and to deal with frankly bull—- because of who his dad is and just keep a level head about it and be a class act says a lot about him, says a lot about that family,” Redick said.
Like any other rookie, Bronny has had struggles and has worked through them. During the early parts of the year, he had trouble against aggressive on-ball defenders and was pushed around a lot due to the NBA’s physicality.
Now, he’s handling the ball much better and even took Giannis Antetokounmpo one-on-one. The play didn’t result in a basket, but it showed his burst, and perhaps he was fouled on the shot attempt.
May have gotten fouled; that’s up for argument, but it is what it is,” Bronny said. “I tried to get me a bucket. That’s it.”
With the Lakers fighting for a top seed in the Western Conference, there won’t be many games where Bronny will play as much as he did on Thursday against the Bucks. That’s good news for both Bronny and the Lakers.
He needs time to develop and since the Lakers aren’t relying on Bronny’s minutes, they can afford to be patient and allow him to step up only when he is needed or ready.
Against Milwaukee, he was both and he looked like the best player in purple and gold.
“The stay-ready games at the gym, they prepare me to be confident in my play and what I do,” Bronny said. “So, just keeping that same mindset being ready and being confident in myself.”
It might be back to the bench for Bronny once players return from injury, but this game can be a building block for his confidence and his career.
It’s proof that he isn’t just the human version of a victory cigar entering games to thunderous applause once the result is in hand.
He’s a legitimate player, and the Lakers are taking their time developing him. As long as he keeps his head down and puts in the work, he will become the best version of himself.
