Bronny James: The Next Phase of Development
Bronny James, the young guard drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, has been showing signs of promise and potential despite some initial struggles in the NBA Summer League. Standing at 6-foot-2, Bronny has primarily occupied the shooting guard position. Selected as the 55th pick in the NBA draft, the Lakers organization is keen on developing his skills further, potentially transforming him into a versatile combo guard.
Mixed Performance in Summer League
Over the course of his Summer League outings, Bronny James had a mixed bag of performances. Despite a slow start—where he managed to shoot only 7-for-31 overall—he concluded his final two games with an impressive 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting. His three-point shooting saw a marked improvement as well; after missing all 15 attempts in the first four games, he managed to sink 3 out of 8 in his final performances.
Reflecting on Bronny’s performance, Lakers Summer League coach Dane Johnson shared his insights: "He had two pretty good games last two. I think it’s just going to help him going into the summer so we can work on different things with him. Just that confidence and knowing he can play at this level. It’s still going to take a lot of time and a lot of reps.”
Areas for Improvement
While Bronny has shown the capability to compete at the professional level, particularly in games against noteworthy opponents like the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers, there are still areas that require significant development. Concerns about his ballhandling skills and the need for a more consistent perimeter shot have been noted. Johnson elaborated, "I think right now he’s more of a [shooting guard], but I think he could be a combo-ish. He picks up stuff really well. We throw stuff at him—plays, coverages, defensively. He kind of picks it up really quick, so I think he could potentially be [a point guard]."
Adapting and Learning
Despite these areas of growth, Bronny’s attitude and willingness to learn have been commendable. "In general, he doesn’t let any of that stuff get to him. He just wants to play basketball and be on a team. He’s a good kid. He’s listening. He’s trying to learn," Johnson added. This positive mindset is critical as he transitions into the well-earned but demanding realm of professional basketball.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
It’s worth noting that Bronny’s journey has not been without significant personal challenges. Last summer, he suffered cardiac arrest during a workout at the University of Southern California and had to undergo surgery for a congenital heart defect. Nonetheless, his resilience has shone through; he declared for the NBA draft after posting averages of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists during his lone season at USC.
Future Development
The Lakers are looking to continue Bronny’s development by leveraging the G League, a strategy aimed at providing him with ample playing time and exposure to professional-level competition. While the journey ahead is full of opportunities and challenges, the Lakers organization believes in Bronny’s potential to evolve into a valuable asset for the team.
As history stands, no father-and-son duo has ever played in an NBA game simultaneously. However, the aspirations surrounding Bronny and his father, LeBron James, hint at the possibility of rewriting that chapter in sports history. The narrative of sports is often punctuated with such remarkable stories. For instance, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together in 1990 and 1991 with the Seattle Mariners, and Gordie Howe laced up alongside his sons, Marty and Mark, in both the WHA and NHL.
In summary, Bronny James is showing early signs of promise, supported by a strong work ethic and the willingness to learn. With the right developmental approach and a focus on overcoming current challenges, he has the potential to make significant strides in his professional basketball career.