Bronny James chuckled when a reporter mentioned that he is tied for the third-longest tenure with the Lakers, finding the comment amusing. Entering his third season, he shares this spot with Dalton Knecht and trails only Austin Reaves, who is starting his sixth season, and Jarred Vanderbilt, who is in his fourth year with the team.
Now considered a veteran, James is focused on carving out his role with the Lakers. “Crazy, right? AR keeps calling me a vet,” he said with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘I guess.'” Naturally reserved, Bronny recognizes that as a point guard, he needs to be more vocal on the court—directing the offense and helping his nine new teammates grasp coach JJ Redick’s expectations.
In his first two seasons, James stayed quiet while his father, LeBron James, led the team with a strong presence. At 21, Bronny is now stepping into leadership on his own terms, exactly what coach Redick wants from all players. “I’m coming in every day trying to improve as a point guard,” James shared. “Taking those steps—encouraging my teammates, getting them in the right spots, and keeping us organized. That’s what a point guard does: you have to communicate with your team and help them get where they need to be. I take pride in that role, especially if anyone gets injured, I’ve got to step up as the primary ballhandler.”
Last season, James appeared in 42 regular-season games, averaging 2.9 points with a 40.9% shooting percentage. Although his playoff numbers were modest, he contributed solid defense over eight postseason games, shooting 50%.
This Lakers squad boasts deep talent across the board. James understands it will take hard work to solidify his place. “I’m putting in extra hours after practice, competing, and working to build on my defensive instincts,” he said. “I’ve been picking up full-court pressure on every possession—something they’ve emphasized a lot. When we play tough opponents like Luka [Doncic] and AR, me, Quentin Grimes, or Jaden Hardy take turns handling the ball and that builds our confidence.”
Defense is where James aims to make his biggest impact. Facing elite guards like Doncic and Reaves daily at training camp challenges him, but he knows this will help him improve. “It’s annoying for both sides in practice, but continuing this will make me better defensively for sure,” he noted.
Alongside defense, James has been refining his jump shot and physique, showing a more defined frame. “I’ve spent the summer in the gym working on fluidity and quicker release on my shot while running a lot to maintain speed,” he explained. “I’m keeping my weight steady around 215 to 220 but staying slim to move fast, sticking to a consistent routine.”
The Lakers have completed four intense practices full of energy and are set to begin preseason with games on Monday in Sacramento and Tuesday in Golden State. These matchups will offer James and his teammates opportunities to earn their roles.
“It’s still a process,” James said. “It will take a few games to settle everyone in, figure out our roles, and experiment with lineups. I’ve been here a while, so I know my role, but the new guys are still finding theirs.”
Fan Take: Bronny James’ growth into a vocal leader and defensive specialist signals exciting development for the Lakers and the league’s next generation. Watching him evolve from LeBron’s son into a player carving out his own identity makes this story compelling for basketball fans eager to see fresh talent rise.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
