Bronny James, now in his second year with the Los Angeles Lakers, demonstrated remarkable improvement during the NBA offseason, gaining significant confidence on the court. The Lakers guard, drafted last summer in the second round, spent much of his rookie season playing in the G League, where he gained valuable experience alongside other NBA-caliber players.
Overcoming Criticism as LeBron James’ Son
Bronny faced intense scrutiny throughout his early career, with critics alleging that his NBA opportunity came largely due to his father LeBron James’ legendary status. National media often questioned his abilities, suggesting nepotism played a role in his path to the Lakers roster. Despite this pressure, Bronny used the offseason to demonstrate he is developing into a capable player in his own right.
Notable Offseason Performance in Las Vegas
During the Summer League in Las Vegas, Bronny James impressed Lakers’ Summer League coach Lindsey Harding with his growth and readiness to take on more responsibility. Harding praised Bronny’s progress, highlighting his expanded role in ball handling and leadership on the court.
“He’s been great,”
Harding said, according to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com,
“Having his time in the G League, getting more and more confidence and then coming here and taking more minutes and responsibility on his shoulders.”
Throughout the Summer League games, Bronny averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds while playing 24.3 minutes per game, showcasing his growing skill set in real-time competition.
Emerging as a Defensive Leader for the Lakers
Harding also emphasized Bronny’s defensive improvements as a key area of growth. The Lakers have lacked strong defensive guards, and Bronny’s energy and tenacity on that end have increased his chances to earn consistent playing time this season, potentially reducing Johan’s Gabe Vincent’s minutes.
“Handling the ball much more than he has in the past and making those decisions and reads for us, he’s taken that role on as a leader, that was also part of his growth,”
Harding explained.
“And then on the defensive end, where he had those moments where he can really pressure (the ball), pick up full court, be disruptive,”
she added.
“That’s something where he can really have an immediate impact for our team this season.”
Beyond defense, Bronny impressed with a 35.3% shooting rate from beyond the arc, and consistently guarded opposing teams’ top players with energy and intensity, which is vital for the Lakers’ backcourt needs.
Significance of Bronny James’ Progress for the Lakers
As Bronny James continues to silence doubters and improve his performance, he offers the Lakers a promising option to strengthen their rotation, particularly on defense. His offseason growth could translate into more meaningful minutes and a larger role in the team’s pursuit of success this season. With renewed confidence and notable skills development, Bronny’s trajectory suggests he is turning potential into tangible impact for Los Angeles.