Bronny James is carving out his path in the NBA, and it's been quite the journey. Last season, as a rookie, he spent significant time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, South Bay.
Fast forward to his second year, and it's a familiar scene. With 18 games under his belt this season, matching last year's total, James continues to hone his skills and find his place.
The Lakers' depth chart is stacked, leaving limited room for James in the rotation. So, the G League has become a crucial platform for his development. Both Lakers head coach JJ Redick and South Bay's Zach Guthrie have encouraged him to seize scoring opportunities, a key focus in his growth as a guard.
Finding the balance between scoring and playmaking is a challenge every point guard faces. James, who naturally gravitates towards involving his teammates, averaged 4.6 assists per game last season in the G League.
This year, he's slightly below four assists, but his early performances included two impressive games with eight assists each. Even during a seven-game stretch, he maintained a solid 5.3 assists average.
With the Lakers, he's had a couple of standout games with six assists.
James sums it up well: “I think it’s just staying aggressive. Just looking for my shot first, and if the defender steps in front of me, make the pass then.”
Opportunities with the Lakers may be scarce, but the G League offers ample playing time. Through mid-March, James has appeared in 18 games, mirroring last season.
His scoring average has dipped to 13.3 points from 18.6, and his rebounds and assists have slightly declined. However, his efficiency has taken a leap.
Shooting 48.7% from the field, up from 41.9%, and improving his three-point percentage to 34.4% from 33.6% shows he's becoming more polished.
The game is slowing down for him, and playing with a talented South Bay squad has helped. “We have a lot of talent on our team so it’s kind of an easier job on my part,” James notes. “I’m just trying to do everything it takes to win.”
Playing alongside Lakers’ ‘stay ready’ teammates like Adou Thiero and Nick Smith Jr. during South Bay games has been invaluable. These scrimmages build team chemistry and allow players to implement the Lakers' developmental strategies.
James appreciates the team dynamic: “I like getting my teammates involved because they’re all really talented too and they can go get a bucket.”
As the Lakers eye a strong playoff push, South Bay is making waves in the G League, setting a franchise record with 12 straight wins and leading the Western Conference. James is poised to play a pivotal role in their postseason run, bringing his winning mentality to the forefront.
“We’re the number one seed in the Western Conference standings right now,” James says. “We’re on a winning streak, and I think we can go far in the playoffs. Just do whatever it takes to win.”
With the G League Finals wrapping up just before the NBA playoffs, James could be back with the Lakers for their postseason. Regardless of which team he suits up for, his approach remains the same: “Just playing a role and excelling at that. I have different roles on both teams, so whatever that might be, just doing that at a high level.”
Bronny James is on a journey, and it's clear he's taking each step with purpose and determination.