Bronny cold in debut, but Redick praises growth

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- Three days shy of a twelvemonth aft Bronny James made his preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers successful this godforsaken arena, the NBA's astir celebrated lad resumed his quest to amusement helium belongs successful the large leagues.

While his 1-for-12 shooting show successful the Lakers' opener wasn't ideal, James felt his effort Friday nighttime was different measurement guardant successful a process that's already showing results to manager JJ Redick.

Bronny James scored 8 points portion LeBron James and Luka Doncic sat retired of the Lakers' 103-81 nonaccomplishment to the Phoenix Suns.

Bronny's 40-year-old begetter is progressing deliberately successful his instrumentality from a insignificant nervus wounded to statesman his grounds 23rd NBA season, portion Doncic is besides ramping up with caution aft his engaged summertime playing for Slovenia astatine EuroBasket.

That near plentifulness of playing clip successful the Coachella Valley for extent players similar Bronny James, who deed a 3-pointer precocious successful the 3rd 4th for his lone tract goal. He missed his different 7 3-point attempts portion struggling for buckets alongside chap 2024 draught prime Dalton Knecht, who was 2 for 10 with 1-for-7 shooting from distance.

"I felt similar they were beauteous bully shots," said Bronny James, who turns 21 years aged connected Monday. "Not rushed, not forcing anything. Didn't person my legs nether maine arsenic overmuch arsenic I wanted to, truthful a batch of them were short, but astir of them were connected line. I felt similar I could person made those. I felt similar I took immoderate bully shots."

Bronny's assurance was undiminished by those misses aft the Lakers opened their preseason successful the aforesaid arena wherever Bronny James archetypal played alongside his celebrated begetter successful October 2024.

The Palm Springs-area fans who rumbled with anticipation whenever Bronny touched the shot a twelvemonth agone didn't respond overmuch this clip around. The novelty of Bronny's beingness has faded portion helium continues to turn into thing overmuch much than a sideshow.

Bronny was successful the Lakers' archetypal substitution group, and helium played astir 23 minutes. He gave a accordant antiaircraft effort with intermittent effectiveness arsenic helium works to go the interaction defender that Redick believes helium tin go with much growth.

"Definitely felt similar I was much comfortable, particularly with the shot successful my hands, and with the antiaircraft and violative schemes," Bronny said. "But I'm conscionable trying to consciousness it out. Feeling my mode inactive and conscionable continuing to grow."

Bronny appeared successful 27 games for the Lakers during his rookie season, adjacent making hoops past by playing alongside his begetter successful the opener. But helium accomplished overmuch of his maturation successful the G League, wherever helium averaged 21.9 points and 5.5 assists for the Lakers' affiliate.

After a summertime of hard work, Bronny is demonstrating advancement to Redick.

"He is truthful overmuch much comfy and assured arsenic a player," Redick said of Bronny. "Skill-wise, read-wise, each of those things person improved, but there's a large quality betwixt improving those things successful idiosyncratic workouts and tiny radical settings, and doing it 5-on-5. ... He's a wholly antithetic subordinate than helium was a twelvemonth ago. I thought the worldly that helium did down successful the G League past twelvemonth was immense for him successful processing a comfortableness level successful playing astatine this level."

Austin Reaves scored 20 points to pb the Lakers' starters, which included newcomers Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia with Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Bronny James wasn't the lone Lakers subordinate trying to basal retired connected defense. Ayton had 8 rebounds and conscionable 1 constituent portion taking lone 2 shots successful 18 minutes, but helium besides blocked 2 shots portion demonstrating his committedness to protecting the rim.

The Lakers' preseason continues Sunday against the Golden State Warriors. Redick said Doncic besides volition beryllium retired that crippled successful San Francisco, arsenic volition LeBron James.

That means Bronny James volition person much chances, and helium remains determined to prehend them.

"I'm conscionable trying to consciousness it out, trying to get immoderate reps successful with the guys," Bronny sa...