Bronny James hasn’t had the optimal start to his NBA career. In his Summer League debut, the 19-year-old initially showed promise. He added six straight points for the Lakers. From then he could only score two more points to end his night at 8 points and 3 turnovers in the loss to the Houston Rockets. His defense and shooting prowess were meant to set him apart, or at least justify his place in the NBA. So far, he has yet to make a single three-pointer in 12 attempts.

After the 99-80 loss to the Rockets, James spoke to reporters about his performance. They asked him about possibly having a stint in the NBA’s G-League as a means to develop. The only thing that matters for the Lakers rookie is having an opportunity to spend as much time on the court as possible.

“I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play — no matter what level I’m playing at”, Bronny James told ESPN.

There were reports of how the Lakers would prefer having Bronny James for the start of the season to share the floor with his father, LeBron James. Upon the history-making moment, he is most likely to migrate to the G-League and join the South Bay Lakers. It is bound to help not only the teenager’s confidence but also revitalize his game mechanics. So far his offense has been subpar, struggling to make any sort of significant impact in the Summer League.

“I just feel like I’m in a little slump right now,” the 55th pick said when speaking of his upsetting start.

The one standout talent though is his defense. Even at 6’1″, Bronny James displays incredible instincts as a relentless defender. He took the assignment of guarding the No.3 pick Reed Shepard the whole game. When Lakers head coach JJ Redick joined the game broadcast, he revealed the vision he has of harnessing James’ defensive potential.

“We want him pressuring the ball. I told him yesterday, I said, ‘If you get blown by, if you have 10 fouls, that’s on me. I want you up pressuring the ball,” said Redick.

In three games, Bronny James has aided the Lakers primarily through his high-activity defense. The USC alumnus sticks to his mark like a hound and is persistent in making them work for every bucket. His steal tally is now up to five in three games, showing early signs of his potential utilization by the Lakers as a menacing defender.

The potential of Bronny James

Since getting drafted, JJ Redick has praised the 19-year-old immensely. He believes his talents can translate spotlessly to the NBA. With that being said, the newly minted Lakers HC has a vague plan of what he expects from Bronny James. Redick wants to grow his defensive skills and trusts his cognitive instincts for playmaking.

But the primary priority is to help him evolve into a pressurizing defender. While speaking on Sirius XM Radio, Redick remembered the one player he saw during the Team USA and Team Canada exhibition game who perfectly portrays what he wants from Bronny James.

“We were at the Canada-USA basketball exhibition game… And I said, ‘I think Lu Dort just single-handedly broke up the eighth possession of the game. Like his impact, you can’t get into your offense sometimes, the shot clock winds down because of his ball pressure. He literally blows up entire plays because of his pressure. And I really believe this, Bronny eventually will be that guy,” he claimed. 

The 3-and-D guys are in high demand in the NBA. Not only that, but they might remarkably boost a team’s contending potential if dropped in the right system. The Thunder have Dort limit the best offensive player while having him in a floor-spacing role when attacking to reserve his tank for defending.

If taught and mentored well, Bronny James boasts those same qualities. He plays the game with ferocity and doesn’t provide an inch of breathing space. Such terrorizing defense is what the Lakers have lacked since their 2020 championship. They could achieve balance on both sides of the floor if the second-round pick can fit the mold Redick has envisioned for him.