LOS Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared a clue regarding Bronny James’ future after his preseason debut on Sunday.
The 2024 second-round pick got to play alongside his father and NBA icon LeBron James in a historic moment.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and son and teammate Bronny smile before the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday[/caption]
The 20-year-old Bronny James reacts during the second half of the preseason game[/caption]
During the second quarter of the Lakers preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, the 39-year-old LeBron and his son Bronny shared the court together.
It was the first time that a father-son duo had played alongside each other in NBA history.
Bronny missed a three-pointer and committed an offensive foul before being called for a traveling violation before Redick subbed him out for Gabe Vincent with less than eight minutes left in the quarter.
After the game, Redick revealed his happiness over Bronny and LeBron playing at the same time.
“I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this. I really am,” the former NBA player and first-year head coach said. “It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in Year 22.
“It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point and really just the fatherly care and love, and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well.”
However, Redick hinted about the fact that Bronny will likely play with his father in the regular season in the future, but it won’t happen any time soon.
“Bronny’s such a great kid and he’s a pleasure to be around. I was really hoping that wing three had gone in. That would have been a cool moment, but they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure,” he added.
Redick has referred to the 6-foot-2 guard Bronny in the past as “test case No. 1” seemingly from a developmental perspective as the 20-year-old is a work-in-progress in numerous areas including his offensive game.
Unsurprisingly, LeBron was arguably the best player on the court, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists.
In 16 minutes of action, the four-time MVP recorded a plus-minus rating of plus-nine.
However, Bronny recorded two rebounds and four turnovers for a minutes-16 rating in 13 minutes.
His disappointing preseason so far comes after less-than-stellar Summer League showings.
It would be tough to place Bronny on the NBA team early on in the 2024-25 season – a year removed from playing his only season at USC after a cardiac arrest scare in an offseason workout with the team.
LeBron and Bronny James look on during the preseason game[/caption]
He will likely head to the G-League instead of joining the NBA roster due to the team being filled with guards with NBA experience, Gabe Vincent and Max Christie among them.
Still, LeBron
Not real,” James said. “We’ll kind of get used to it, but it’s pretty cool.
“It’s pretty cool for the both of us, and especially for our family. It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget.”
Los Angeles has four more preseason games before their season-opener with the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.
