Bronny James struggles with shot but shows progress in Lakers preseason loss

Nearly a twelvemonth aft his highly anticipated preseason debut, Bronny James returned to the aforesaid godforsaken arena connected Friday nighttime to commencement different section of his travel with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 20-year-old defender struggled with his shot, going 1-for-12 successful a 103–81 nonaccomplishment to the Phoenix Suns, but neither his assurance nor his coach’s content wavered.

“I felt similar they were beauteous bully shots,” Bronny said. “Not rushed, not forcing anything. Didn’t person my legs nether maine arsenic overmuch arsenic I wanted to, truthful a batch of them were short. I felt similar I took immoderate bully shots.” His lone tract extremity came connected a 3-pointer precocious successful the 3rd quarter.

With LeBron James and Luka Doncic resting, manager JJ Redick leaned connected younger players specified arsenic Bronny and chap rookie Dalton Knecht. Both had unsmooth shooting nights, but Redick saw positives successful Bronny’s composure and antiaircraft effort.

Confidence beyond the container score

Bronny, who turns 21 connected Monday, logged astir 24 minutes arsenic portion of the archetypal substitution radical and continued to flash the antiaircraft vigor that earned him playing clip arsenic a rookie. “Definitely felt similar I was much comfortable, particularly with the shot successful my hands,” helium said. “I’m conscionable trying to consciousness it retired and support growing.”

Redick, who coached Bronny successful the G League past season, praised the progress. “He is truthful overmuch much comfy and assured arsenic a player,” Redick said. “Skill-wise, read-wise, each of those things person improved. He’s a wholly antithetic subordinate than helium was a twelvemonth ago.”

Bronny appeared successful 27 games past season, adjacent sharing the level with his begetter successful the opener, but overmuch of his maturation came successful the G League, wherever helium averaged 21.9 points and 5.5 assists. The enactment has shown.

Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 20 points, portion Deandre Ayton added 8 rebounds and 2 blocks successful constricted minutes. The Lakers adjacent look the Golden State Warriors connected Sunday, with LeBron and Doncic again sitting out—meaning much clip for Bronny to physique connected his progress.