Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised Bronny James after the young guard made his first NBA start in the final preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite a 132-74 loss, Bronny played 35 minutes and posted his best performance of the preseason, finishing with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Redick rested twelve players, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell, giving the younger players an opportunity to showcase their skills. Bronny embraced the chance and left a positive impression on his coach.
“He’s a very grounded young man who is very coachable and has a very good head on his shoulders,” Redick said, per Ryan Ward. “I’ve had a couple of conversations with him about what it’s like to be him, and I think he’s handled it with a lot of class and grace. He’s a pleasure to coach.”
Despite the individual success, Redick emphasized that Bronny’s growth goes beyond scoring. “I’m sure it felt good to have 17 points. I’m not even remotely concerned about that,” Redick stated. “We’re trying to help him grow into a great basketball player. I’m sure he feels good about it, and he should, but I’ve seen real improvement in attention to detail, and I’m encouraged by that.”
Bronny’s 17-point performance was a highlight in an otherwise challenging preseason, where he had previously scored just 8 points across four games. His time at USC raised similar concerns about his readiness for the NBA. As a freshman, Bronny averaged 4.8 points per game and shot 36.6% from the field, leaving many wondering if he could transition successfully to the professional level.
In the NBA Summer League, his shooting struggles continued, averaging 8.8 points per game on 35% shooting from the field and just 15.8% from beyond the arc. These statistics sparked further skepticism about his potential impact in the NBA.
However, Redick’s faith in Bronny’s development remains strong. The coach highlighted the young guard’s work ethic and his ability to handle the pressure that comes with his last name. “There are probably some hard things that come with being him, too,” Redick noted. “But he’s handled it with grace. I’m encouraged by his improvement and what he can become.”
