Bronnie James Struggles in Preseason Opener
Bronnie James’ second professional season is off to a less-than-stellar start.
In the Lakers’ preseason opener on Friday night, LeBron James’ son managed to score just eight points, shooting 1-for-1 from the field and adding a rather disappointing 3-of-8 from the free-throw line. His game ended with a minus-12 rating over 24 minutes, along with five rebounds and two assists.
“They felt like good shots,” Bronnie remarked. “I wasn’t rushing or forcing things. A lot of my shots were short because I didn’t quite have my feet under me, but they were mostly straight, and I believed I could make them. I think I took decent shots.”
Turning 21 just this Monday, Bronnie is gearing up for a second season in the NBA, which comes after a challenging first year filled with setbacks.
After spending a year sidelined at USC and recovering from a cardiac arrest, some wondered how ready he truly was for the NBA. Nevertheless, the Lakers decided to draft him as the 55th pick in the second round.
Last October, Bronnie made headlines playing alongside his father during the Lakers’ season opener against the Timberwolves. Although that moment was historic, his overall season left much to be desired.
He averaged only 2.3 points on 31.3% shooting, including 28.1% from long range, and contributed a mere 0.8 assists and 0.7 rebounds in just 6.7 minutes across 27 games.
However, his performance improved in the G-League, where he averaged impressive numbers: 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
This year, both Bronnie and the team hope he can make a more substantial contribution as a reserve player.
Lakers coach JJ Reddick emphasized that for Bronnie to help the team, he needs to become an “impact defender.”
“He’s showing a lot more comfort and confidence as a player,” Reddick pointed out before the game. “There’s been significant improvement in his skills, especially in reading the game better, but transitioning those skills from individual workouts to team play is a different ballgame.”
Reddick added that Bronnie appears much more at ease compared to the previous year. “What he achieved in the G-League was critical for him to gain confidence at this level,” he said.
During the game, Bronnie, watching from the sidelines, noted the absence of his father and superstar Luka Doncic. Although he didn’t shoot particularly well, he did manage to score five points from the free-throw line.
“I’m just trying to find my rhythm and work with what I’ve got,” Bronnie commented. “I might not get a ton of opportunities during the season, so I’m focusing hard on defense and game situations, trying to feel more integrated into the team.”
