When he was selected with the 55th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny James knew he had to prove himself. Since he will be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, he is under pressure to perform because his father, LeBron James , is on the same team.
Unfortunately, Bronny struggled out of the gate, with some disappointing performances at the Las Vegas Summer League. His struggles with three-point shooting became crucial points critics kept talking about because he was 0-12 from behind the arc after three games. Bronny kept his head up and performed well after that because he knew he had a strong support system.
"Just having the support system behind you. My mom, my dad really helped me, encouraging me to stay focused, and keep being myself so I feel like a big part of keeping my mind right," Bronny said in an interview in Las Vegas.
Bronny has to navigate an unfamiliar world
Even if Bronny has been there with his father for most of his career, the younger James still needs to adjust to the NBA. He is probably used to the spotlight, but the younger James is under pressure to perform and prove the doubters wrong.
Naturally, the son of one of the best NBA players joining the same team will lead to a discourse about nepotism. Many have pushed back against this narrative, including Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who called Bronny a hard worker .
" For us, prioritizing player development, we view Bronny as case study 1 because of his baseline level of feel, athleticism, point of attack defending, shooting, passing. There's a lot to like about his game," Redick said in the draft pick introduction press conference. "As we sort of build out our player development program holistically, he's going to have a great opportunity to become an excellent NBA player."
It is a challenging environment for the rookie because he is a talented player. He was a top-ten prospect in 2023, but his cardiac arrest and subsequent quiet season at USC plummeted his draft stock. Bronny is still talented and physically gifted. He has the potential to break out as a star, he needs time and support.
Bronny can shine with the right support
The younger James has all the talent and potential but must work for his spot on the roster. He is under the microscope, as everything he does will be observed. Thankfully, he has a superb support system with LeBron and his mom, Savannah, who have lived this lifestyle for two decades. They know how to motivate their son, and the issues he will face are not significant enough to throw him off.
The family members are not the only ones helping Bronny because Redick and his coaching staff are ready to help. Even the front office, spearheaded by Rob Pelinka, is willing to help, which bodes well for the long-term future of Bronny's career as he continues to grow in the NBA.
Related: "Reminds me a lot of Gary Payton's son" - Former NBA All-Star says Bronny James is 'suffering from inside'
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