PALM DESERT, Calif. — Three days shy of a 12 months after Bronny James made his preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on this desert area, the NBA’s most well-known son resumed his quest to point out he belongs within the huge leagues.
Although his 1-for-12 capturing efficiency within the Lakers’ opener wasn’t best, James felt his effort Friday evening was one other step ahead in a course of that is already displaying outcomes to educate JJ Redick.
Bronny James scored eight factors whereas LeBron James and Luka Doncic sat out of the Lakers’ 103-81 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Bronny’s 40-year-old father is progressing intentionally in his return from a minor nerve damage to start his report twenty third NBA season, whereas Doncic can also be ramping up with warning after his busy summer season taking part in for Slovenia at EuroBasket.
That left loads of taking part in time within the Coachella Valley for depth gamers like Bronny James, who hit a 3-pointer late within the third quarter for his solely subject aim. He missed his different seven 3-point makes an attempt whereas struggling for buckets alongside fellow 2024 draft decide Dalton Knecht, who was 2-for-10 with 1-for-7 capturing from distance.
“I felt like they have been fairly good photographs,” mentioned Bronny James, who turns 21 on Monday. “Not rushed, not forcing something. Did not have my legs below me as a lot as I wished to, so quite a lot of them have been brief, however most of them have been on line. I felt like I might have made these. I felt like I took some good photographs.”
Bronny’s confidence was undiminished by these misses after the Lakers opened their preseason in the identical area the place Bronny James first performed alongside his well-known father in October 2024.
The Palm Springs-area followers who rumbled with anticipation at any time when Bronny touched the ball a 12 months in the past did not react a lot this time. The novelty of Bronny’s presence has pale whereas he continues to develop into one thing rather more than a sideshow.
Bronny was within the Lakers’ first substitution group, and he performed almost 23 minutes. He gave a constant defensive effort with intermittent effectiveness as he works to grow to be the influence defender that Redick believes he can grow to be with extra progress.
“Undoubtedly felt like I used to be extra comfy, particularly with the ball in my palms, and with the defensive and offensive schemes,” Bronny mentioned. “However I am simply attempting to really feel it out. Feeling my approach nonetheless and simply persevering with to develop.”
Bronny appeared in 27 video games for the Lakers throughout his rookie season, even making basketball historical past by taking part in alongside his father within the opener. However Bronny completed a lot of his progress within the G League, the place he averaged 21.9 factors and 5.5 assists for the Lakers’ affiliate.
After a summer season of arduous work, Bronny is demonstrating progress to Redick.
“He’s a lot extra comfy and assured as a participant,” Redick mentioned of Bronny. “Ability-wise, read-wise, all of these issues have improved, however there is a huge distinction between enhancing these issues in particular person exercises and small group settings, and doing it 5-on-5. … He is a very totally different participant than he was a 12 months in the past. I believed the stuff that he did down within the G League final 12 months was big for him in creating a consolation stage in taking part in at this stage.”
Austin Reaves scored 20 factors to guide the Lakers’ starters, which included newcomers Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia with Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Bronny James wasn’t the one Lakers participant attempting to face out on protection. Ayton had eight rebounds and only one level whereas taking solely two photographs in 18 minutes, however he additionally blocked two photographs whereas demonstrating his dedication to defending the rim.
The Lakers’ preseason continues Sunday in opposition to the Golden State Warriors. Redick mentioned Doncic additionally will sit out that sport in San Francisco, as will LeBron James.
Meaning Bronny James may have extra possibilities, and he stays decided to grab them.
“I am simply attempting to really feel it out, attempting to get some reps in with the blokes,” Bronny mentioned. “There’s in all probability not going to be as many alternatives throughout the season, so I am simply popping out and defending arduous, taking part in my sport, doing the nonnegotiables. So if JJ sees that, perhaps he’ll give me a possibility.”
