Bronny James: Lakers' Young Guard Showing Promise Amid Summer League Struggles
Bronny James, the young guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and son of NBA legend LeBron James, has been making waves as he transitions into the professional basketball scene. Despite initial struggles, Bronny's performance in the NBA Summer League has shown glimpses of promise, sparking interest and optimism among fans and coaches alike.
During the NBA Summer League, Bronny concluded his final two games with an impressive display, scoring 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting. His shooting from beyond the arc showed progress as well, converting 3 of 8 three-point attempts after initially missing all 15 of his attempts in the first four games. This marked improvement highlights Bronny's resilience and potential to adapt at the professional level.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. Throughout his Summer League games in San Francisco and Las Vegas, Bronny faced difficulties, shooting a mere 7-for-31 overall. Despite these struggles, there have been notable takeaways for the Lakers' coaching staff, including Summer League coach Dane Johnson, who believes in Bronny's growth potential. "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," Johnson noted.
Drafted as the 55th pick by the Lakers, Bronny, standing at 6-foot-2, has been primarily playing the shooting guard position. The Lakers are considering developing him into a combo guard, an evolution that his coach believes he is capable of managing. "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)," Johnson added.
Bronny's path to the NBA has been anything but ordinary. Last summer, during a workout at the University of Southern California, he suffered cardiac arrest and underwent surgery for a congenital heart defect. Despite this significant health scare, Bronny declared for the NBA draft after averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his sole college season at USC. His ability to bounce back from such adversity speaks volumes about his determination and dedication to the game.
The Lakers are likely to use the G League for Bronny's development, allowing him to refine his skills and address areas of concern, such as his ballhandling ability and the need for a more consistent perimeter shot. His performances against the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers provided a glimpse of his potential to compete at the professional level, but consistency remains key.
Off the court, Bronny is described as a player who stays grounded despite the immense pressure and scrutiny that comes with being LeBron James' son. "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 praised.
As the NBA looks forward to the possibility of a historic father-and-son duo playing in the league simultaneously, Bronny's development will be closely watched. No such duo has ever played in an NBA game together, although history offers parallels with other sports. For instance, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991, while Gordie Howe played with his sons Marty and Mark in professional hockey.
Ultimately, Bronny James's journey is just beginning. With the Lakers' support and his evident work ethic, he has the potential to carve out his own legacy in the NBA, separate from but respectful of his father's towering shadow. The coming months and seasons will be crucial in determining just how far this promising young guard can go.