Bronny James found it amusing when a reporter remarked that he’s tied for the third-longest tenure with the Lakers. Heading into his third season, he shares this distinction with Dalton Knecht, trailing only Austin Reaves, who is entering his sixth season, and Jarred Vanderbilt, who has been with the team for over four seasons.
Now considered a veteran, Bronny is focused on defining his role within the Lakers. “It’s wild, right? Austin keeps calling me a vet,” he said with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘I guess so.’” Though naturally introverted, Bronny acknowledges that as a point guard, he needs to be more vocal to help orchestrate the offense and ensure his nine new teammates understand coach JJ Redick’s expectations.
In his first two seasons, Bronny stayed more reserved since his father, LeBron James, was the dominant leader and influential voice on the team. But now, at 21 years old, Bronny is stepping into his own leadership role, exactly as Redick envisions.
“I’m definitely working to improve every day as a point guard,” Bronny explained. “I’m focusing on encouraging my teammates, putting them in the right spots, and keeping us organized. That’s what a point guard does—talking, guiding everyone. I take pride in that. If anyone goes down—God forbid—I need to step up as the lead ballhandler and get us in order. So yeah, I’m locking in on that.”
Last season, Bronny appeared in 42 regular-season games, averaging 2.9 points with a 40.9% shooting rate. In the playoffs, he played eight games, contributing mainly on defense, shooting an efficient 50% though averaging 1.5 points.
The Lakers boast a deep and talented roster, and Bronny understands that carving out his spot will require hard work. “I’m trying to stay after practice, keep competing, and make my mark,” he said. “I’m focusing on building my defensive instincts, like in the playoffs, picking up full court every possession after every bucket. Being a primary ballhandler alongside guys like Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy in practice helps me build confidence.”
Defense remains a top priority for Bronny. Training camp challenges him daily as he guards stars like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, two of the league’s most explosive guards. “It definitely makes me better,” he noted. “We annoy each other in practice, but that rivalry pushes me forward.”
Bronny has also been honing his jump shot and improving his physique, working on fluidity and quicker release. “I’ve spent the summer running and refining my shot mechanics,” he said. “I weigh around 215-220 pounds but am still lean enough to maintain quickness. Keeping a consistent routine in the gym is key.”
The Lakers have completed four energetic practice sessions so far and will open the preseason with games against Sacramento and Golden State next week. These games will be crucial for Bronny and his teammates as they continue to settle into their roles.
“It’s still a process,” Bronny admitted. “It’ll take a few games to find our rhythm, figure out roles, and experiment with lineups. I’ve been here a while, so I know my part, but the new guys are still adjusting.”
Fan Take: Bronny James’ growth into a leadership role with the Lakers signals an exciting new chapter for the franchise and the NBA. This development not only highlights the rising talent within basketball families but also shows how young players are learning to mature and impact the game beyond just scoring.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
