Retired NBA veteran Flip Murray recently shared his insights on Bronny James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ second-round pick. Appearing on The Sports Life & Everything Else Podcast with Mike Roberts and Taylor Suber, Murray expressed confidence in Bronny’s potential as he makes the transition from high school to the professional level.
Murray, who played alongside LeBron James, emphasized that Bronny is often underestimated due to his father’s prominence. “A lot of people are down on him, just for the fact that he’s LeBron James’ son,” Murray stated, via Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. He believes that Bronny’s basketball experience is still developing, noting that he hasn’t had extensive playing time.
“He really doesn’t have that much basketball underneath him,” Murray explained. “He didn’t play that much at USA. He played, what? Two years at Sierra Canyon when he was there?” He added that Bronny’s exposure to the game from a young age has provided him with a solid foundation.
Murray believes Bronny’s adjustment to the NBA will be swift. “He knows the game, so it’s gonna be easy for him to adjust,” he said. He pointed out that once Bronny acclimates to the game’s speed and plays alongside top-level talent, he will progress quickly.
Murray also addressed concerns about the pressures of playing in Los Angeles. He assured fans that Bronny is well-equipped to handle scrutiny. “He’s been living in LA. He’s been getting scrutiny since he’s been out there,” he noted.
While Bronny’s performance in preseason games has raised eyebrows, Murray remains optimistic. So far, he has scored a total of four points across four games. However, Murray believes that early struggles are normal for a rookie.
“He’s gonna have his little problems, his little nicks and nacks, turnovers and stuff like that,” Murray acknowledged. “That comes with the territory. He’s young, in his first year playing.”
Despite a lackluster college season at USC, where he averaged just 4.8 points per game, Murray sees promise in Bronny’s future. He noted that while Bronny’s shooting was inconsistent, his work ethic was commendable.
Murray emphasized the importance of Bronny playing alongside his father. “His father is definitely gonna show him the ins and outs of the game,” he said. LeBron James has been actively involved in helping Bronny understand the game through film study and guidance.
During the NBA Summer League, Bronny continued to face challenges, averaging 8.8 points per game with shooting percentages of just 35% from the field and 15.8% from three-point range. These stats have fueled skepticism about his readiness for the professional game.
Nonetheless, Murray believes in Bronny’s potential to grow and thrive in the NBA. He sees a bright future ahead for the young guard, highlighting that Bronny’s journey has only just begun.
As Bronny James continues to adapt to the rigors of professional basketball, all eyes will be on him to see how he develops this season with the Lakers.
