“Doesn’t Have An Identity”: JJ Redick’s Controversial Comparison of Bronny James & OKC Star Shutdown by Media Veteran

Ever since making his debut in the Summer League, Bronny James has been struggling to leave a significant mark. Despite this, he has received a voice of support from several individuals, including the Lakers’ new head coach JJ Redick. In fact, his belief that Bronny will go a long way once he improves his play style even led him to draw out a player comparison, which did not bode well with the rest of the NBA fraternity. Now, another unimpressed analyst is making his voice heard.

Green Bay basketball team’s HC Doug Gottlieb touched base on how JJ Redick recently stated that Bronny James has the potential to reach the same level as Oklahoma City Thunder’s Lu Dort! Doug disagreed with that remark. He admitted that Lu Dort is someone whose identity can be described and is a completely different kind of player. “He’s built like a football player. He can guard just about any position. But that’s what you don’t do once a guy gets to 19.”

“Bronny really doesn’t have an identity as a basketball player,” he said on ‘The Doug Gottlieb Show’. “There isn’t. And when once you get past the starters in the NBA, you kind of have to have an identity, and lean into what you do and don’t do what you don’t do.” The analyst’s remarks come after JJ Redick made the comparison based on Bronny’s defensive prowess.

Highlighting how the defensive ball pressure currently needs to be the name of the game, JJ had stated, “(James has) already got a great feel. He has a really good instinctive nature on the defensive end. … (Dort) literally blows up entire plays because of that pressure. And, I really believe this, Bronny eventually will be that guy.”

While the 19-year-old has struggled offensively, he does possess some quality when it comes to defense. His 2nd game in the Summer League saw him add 2 steals and 3 blocks to his name. On top of that, in a memorable matchup against the Rockets, he made 5 defensive rebounds and 2 steals. Despite his stats, it would be a bit far-fetched to compare the developing player to someone who was just 2 votes shy of getting his name in the NBA All-Defensive second team this recent season, wouldn’t it?

For someone like Bronny James, who is the son of one of the greatest NBA players of the modern generation, it is a tough task to form their own separate identity. It will take more than a few years, along with becoming a leader, to even get him out of his father’s massive shadow.

JJ Redick wants to transform Bronny into a ‘ball hawk’

Both JJ Redick and Bronny James have faced criticism over the last few weeks because of their lack of sufficient experience. Whether it is due to this common ground or not, the new head coach has certainly made it his mission to transform Bronny into an NBA-level contender. JJ had also highlighted that he and the 19-year-old had a “number of conversations” about what the future holds for him.

Considering him to be a ‘development’ player, he wants the young star to spend the required time with the Lakers as well in the G League, since all of it will only work towards building him. “What I’ve communicated to him right now, what we’re looking for, is defensive ball pressure,” said Redick.

“I told him this yesterday. I said, ‘I don’t care if you have 10 fouls. I don’t care if you get blown by. What I do care about is if you’re on the ball and you’re three feet off the ball. Like you have to be a guy that’s a ball hawk at all times.’” Bronny’s recent performance against the Atlanta Hawks indicated that he has what it takes to be an efficient ball handler.

Whether he will continue to develop and show signs of progression will be answered in due course.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.