3 promising signs from Bronny James that makes him valuable team player

Rookie Bronny James delivered the best game of his young Los Angeles Lakers career against the Milwaukee Bucks.

3 promising signs from Bronny James that makes him valuable team player

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James

Ever since Bronny James came into the NBA, fans and many sections of the media have been doubting his abilities. For much of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers rookie has handled the trolls while working on his game in the G League.

He did get the occasional garbage minute or two to play in the NBA. But those minutes meant he was not getting enough time on the ball, something every young player needs. That led to an astonishingly poor stat line that became the butt of jokes.

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But all throughout that time, he sat on the bench observing how his father and other the senior players went about their business. In the G League, he listened to his coaches and now with more minutes to play with, he started showing out why he deserves a chance.

After all those months of development, an opportunity arrived just in time. It so happened that a bunch of Los Angeles Lakers starters were struggling with injuries. This meant, he could play significant minutes for the first time in his NBA career.

He grabbed this opportunity with both hands as he went up against the Milwaukee Bucks. He played almost thirty minutes. But unlike in other garbage minutes, he had the time to get comfortable and then ended up scoring a joint team high seventeen points. This performance proved that he is valuable to the Lakers.

Solid efficient scoring

Bronny James had an NBA career averaging below one point for the season. Along with that, his percentages on those shots were abysmal at best. Many thought he would need a lot of work to become an efficient scorer.

But tonight, he carried his G League form to the NBA. Those seventeen shots came about from a staggering 70% from the field. He even shot half of his three pointers and was perfect from the line. What the stats do not say is how he got those baskets to fall.

For starters, he was not forcing his shot. Instead, he worked the team’s offensive schemes until he got a clear chance at scoring. If not, he sent the ball out to the next best opening available. His efficiency was better than any other Laker. The lone being Jackson Hayes who scores most of his points off dunks.

This efficient scoring should give head coach JJ Redick some ideas. When a team struggles to find points, he can insert the rookie and give him permission to play his way. James Jr. proved he can help the team in those tough stretches.

Playmaking and defense

Before his NBA career started, JJ Redick had asked Bronny James to become a ‘dog’ on defense. To the rest of the world, it seemed as if the first-year head coach envisioned the rookie developing into a three and D specialist.

James Jr. was already known for being a pest on defense. But the NBA is a whole level higher than college. He took that job seriously tonight as he harassed opposition players. He even knocked the ball out of the hands of Giannis Antetokounmpo and was not afraid to take on bigger players.

It looked as if the 20-year-old had his eyes glued to the ball on every possession. That itself can help his defense greatly. Along with that defense, he also gave out five assists. Those assists mean he was helping his teammates score.

It also means that he is not just looking to dominate the ball on every possession. He has his team’s success in mind. His highlight play of the night was actually a pass that looked eerily similar to what his illustrious father, LeBron James, is known for. Playmaking along with good defense can help the Lakers.

Bronny James’ aura

When talking about aura, generally many refer that word with some of the greats of basketball. Bronny James does not have aura similar to his father or any other major superstar. Instead, the aura surrounding him is what comes from expectations.

There are many who probably want him to fail. At the same time, there are many who want him to succeed. When he starts scoring at a stretch, like he did early in the game, it lifts the crowd’s spirits. Even his teammates start feeling the effects of it.

Whenever the Los Angeles Lakers are down, a quick burst of Bronny James scoring can probably help lift their confidence. Then when he takes to the bench, he can continue cheering his teammates like he has done until now. He might be the glue the Lakers have been looking for.