In the high-stakes theater of professional basketball, where narratives are often etched into stone with the first glance at a box score, the recent preseason debut of Bronny James for the Los Angeles Lakers presented a familiar, if slightly misleading, picture. A stat line of 1-for-12 from the field against the Phoenix Suns in a 103-81 defeat might, to the casual observer, suggest a struggle. Yet, in the nuanced world of player development, especially for a talent under the microscope like James, statistics often reveal only a fraction of the story. The real narrative, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick, is one of remarkable, albeit unquantified, growth.
The Box Score`s Silent Deception
Indeed, James` lone field goal was a three-pointer, with five of his eight points coming from the charity stripe. It wasn`t the kind of splashy entry fans might dream of for a second-year player, particularly one whose surname carries an almost gravitational pull of expectation. But Redick, whose coaching philosophy often emphasizes process over immediate outcome, was quick to temper any premature judgments.
“He is so much more comfortable and confident as a player,” Redick stated, cutting directly to the heart of what coaches truly look for. “Skill-wise, read-wise, all of those things have improved, but there`s a big difference between improving those things in individual workouts and small group settings and then doing it 5-on-5. I have just felt like all of September and in our first three days of camp, he just looks more comfortable and confident. He`s a totally different player than he was a year ago.”
From G-League Crucible to NBA Aspirations
Last year, James found himself on the fringes of the Lakers` main roster, averaging a modest 6.7 minutes across 27 appearances. His real proving ground was the G-League, where with the South Bay Lakers, he truly began to unfurl his potential. There, away from the glaring spotlight of the NBA, he flourished, posting averages of 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals over 11 outings. This G-League stint, Redick notes, was “huge for him in just developing a comfort level with playing at this level.” It was the essential crucible where raw talent begins to forge into professional acumen.
It`s a subtle irony that a player can demonstrate significant progress in practice and in a developmental league, only to hit a wall in his first public showcase. Yet, this is precisely the journey of many young athletes—a zig-zagging path rather than a straight line. The expectation isn`t instant perfection, but consistent, incremental improvement.
The Defensive Imperative and Offensive Nuances
Redick`s vision for James extends beyond mere offensive output. He sees a player whose impact could be felt significantly on the defensive end. “In terms of his growth, he`s going to have to be an impact defender, so it`s really about the conditioning and knowing our defenses and being disruptive,” Redick explained. “That`s, to me, where I`d like to see even more growth this year.” This strategic focus underscores a pragmatic understanding of James` potential role: a versatile, two-way guard capable of disrupting opponents and facilitating offense.
Beyond the defensive emphasis, specific offensive advancements were highlighted. Redick lauded James as a “dynamic mover,” praising his “chase action” for creating “a lot of thrust and pace in the half court for us.” This speaks to an evolving offensive feel, a more sophisticated understanding of spacing and tempo that goes beyond simply putting the ball in the basket. “His feel offensively, from where it was last year to now, is a lot higher. Really, really happy with the growth there,” Redick concluded, painting a picture of a player who is developing into a more complete offensive threat, even if the raw scoring numbers haven`t yet caught up.
The Long Game of Development
The question remains whether James will open the season with the Lakers or if another stint in the G-League awaits. Assistant coach Nate McMillan`s earlier summer remarks hinted at potential NBA minutes for the sophomore. Alongside fellow second-year player Dalton Knecht, who also endured a tough shooting night in the opener, James represents part of the Lakers` ongoing evaluation of their young talent. The preseason, after all, is less about victories and more about discernment—unearthing potential, refining roles, and testing the mettle of emerging players.
For Bronny James, the path forward is clear: continue the unseen work, translate practice confidence into game-day impact, and demonstrate the tangible progress his coaches are already recognizing. His journey is a reminder that in basketball, as in life, growth is rarely linear, and sometimes, the most profound developments occur just out of sight, waiting for their moment to truly shine.
