Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, received encouragement and advice from his father following his preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron also expressed his pride in Bronny’s progress and anticipation for their potential on-court pairing.
Fatherly Support and Advice On The Bench
Bronny’s performance in the Lakers’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves showcased his defensive skills, earning praise from coach JJ Redick. Despite his offensive struggles, Bronny viewed the game as a valuable learning experience and a stepping stone in his NBA journey. LeBron sat out the preseason opener, watching his son from the Lakers’ bench.
“Yeah, there was some stuff we talked about,” Bronny said. “I would rather not go into detail, but just support and, ‘Keep working hard, keep being confident in yourself.’ Stuff like that.”
After Saturday’s practice, LeBron acknowledged his satisfaction in seeing Bronny’s next basketball step in a tumultuous year-plus for his oldest son, who was in high school only 16 months ago. “It was great to see Bronny out there,” LeBron said.
A Year of Growth and Resilience
Bronny’s journey to the NBA has been marked by significant challenges, including a cardiac arrest in July 2023. His recovery and subsequent performance in the preseason demonstrate his resilience and determination.
LeBron acknowledged the adjustments Bronny has made in transitioning from high school to the professional level. “Every rank that you climb is always an adjustment to get used to it,” LeBron said. “So when he went to middle school to high school to USC and now to the pros, it’s always an adjustment he makes. So with more and more time he’s on the floor with pros, the speed, the cadence and all those things, you get better and better. And you’ve got to [remember] that he lost pretty much almost a third of a season last year because of the condition, but he’s got better and better every day. He’s continued to put the work in.” He emphasized the importance of continued practice and experience to improve his game and adapt to the speed and intensity of NBA competition.
Bronny played 16 minutes went 1-for-6 from the field, but he showed off his defensive abilities in a series of plays that prompted Lakers coach JJ Redick to describe him as “disruptive” to opponents. Bronny saw the entire experience as an important milestone in his journey, but just another step. “I’d say it’s a game for new beginnings, me just trying to go out there and get a feel for the game, get comfortable, like how I did in summer league,” Bronny said. “I feel like it’s the same thing, basically. Just go out there and feel things out.”
Anticipation for a Father-Son Duo
With Bronny’s 20th birthday approaching, the possibility of LeBron and Bronny playing together for the first time on Sunday night against the Phoenix Suns adds to the excitement surrounding the Lakers. Both LeBron and Anthony Davis are expected to participate in the game after resting in the preseason opener.
“I think we want to carry over with what we did today at practice,” LeBron said. “I think we were very intent on what we want to accomplish going forward. I think (Friday) was one of those first games. It’s been a while since a lot of guys have played in a game setting, and it looked that way.”
