Last night was a blessing in disguise. Despite finishing the game on the losing end 118-89, the Lakers had something positive to look forward to: It was Bronny’s improved performance. You see, after four of the Lakers’ starters and six of their rotation players were out of action against the Bucks, the team needed Bronny. And he didn’t disappoint as he recorded 17 pts, 5 assists, and shot at 70% from the field. He created history after becoming the youngest Lakers rookie to reach these numbers in a game since Magic Johnson (1979).

At one point in the game, Bucks‘ Giannis Antetokounmpo switched on defense to guard Bronny near the perimeter. The 20-year-old dribbled to the left, then behind his back to his right, and then dashed one step ahead of Antetokounmpo. However, as Taurean Prince swarmed in front of him, Bronny James lost the ball out of bounds. So after the game, when the Lakers player was asked about that particular play, he stated:

“He’s a much bigger guy than me, so I need to figure out a way to get by him somehow. I may have gotten fouled, that’s up for argument. It is what it is; I tried to get me a bucket. That’s it,” he said with a huge smile. Of course, HC JJ Redick was happy to see how the young NBA player shone brightly.

The 40-year-old revealed when he first saw the true potential of the rookie in the post-game press conference. “I saw some video interviews that he did at the Combine in May… I texted Bron and I was like ‘Man, Bronny has his head up straight. He gets it. Since day one, I have been impressed with the person that he is and to deal with frankly bulls–t because of who his dad is and just keep a level head about it, be a class act, says a lot about him,” continued JJ, reflecting on the young gun.

“Says a lot about that family and the way LeBron and Savannah have raised him. You know, it was obvious to me from the from the moment I started spending time with his on the court this summer, he was certainly going to be an NBA player.” It’s truly a much-needed statement on Bronny amidst the media noise constantly bugging him.

One of the most prominent names criticizing Bronny was Stephen A. Smith. After father LeBron James confronted Smith, the whole issue became huge with the latter talking about the issue in several podcast episodes. But it wasn’t just Smith. Earlier, when an ESPN reporter took a jab at the youngster, JJ had stepped up to defend and called it a bluff.

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Yes they are. Give the young man a chance to prove himself to be his own man. He’s not going...more

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JJ Redick also defended Bronny James amid false narratives!

Soon after Bronny’s NBA debut alongside his father, one thing was very clear. JJ Redick wouldn’t make him part of the Lakers’ rotation. He was still under development and then the team rightfully sent him to the G-League to represent the South Bay Lakers.

The media didn’t leave him there either. Honestly, not every second-round pick received the same amount of attention. Days after his G-League debut, there was another controversy. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said in November 2024, “From my understanding, he’s only going to play in the South Bay Lakers home games, that he’s only going to be a part-time G League player.“ He also added, “He’s not getting on United Airlines and going to fly and go see these other teams, play in those road games.“ 

While the information was only half true, it was spun in such a way that it implied that Bronny wasn’t committed to the G-League team. Well, that wasn’t true. Almost four months later, JJ Redick stepped in and cleared the air. He said, “Yeah, I don’t know who put it, there was something like he was not gonna play road games in G-League at the end of the year like that was never a plan.”

Moreover, he also stressed that Bronny was given the same treatment as other rookies, saying, “The way we done it with him, the way we done it with Trey, Christian, just having them available, having them with G-league, just the flexibility with it and having synergy with Zach and his staff, I think it has been wonderful in year one. We can certainly improve in certain ways and we will get to that in the offseason but I think the way Bronny’s improved, he can step up in our world and know every play and speak the language. I think it’s been great for year one.“

Anyway, one of the misconceptions about the rising star is already out. Now, it’s only up to Bronny to find a permanent place in the Lakers rotation. 

Do you think Bronny will play better from here onwards? Let us know in the comments below.