Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers went head-to-head with Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Minnesota Timberwolves in a preseason matchup. JJ Redick, the Lakers’ head coach, shared his candid thoughts on Bronny’s debut performance for the team.
“Offensively, he’s still in the process of discovering his role, and it’s our job as a player development program to help him grow,” Redick told reporters, according to Lakers Nation.
In the game, Bronny had difficulty scoring, missing his first five shots before making a basket during the latter stages of the Lakers’ 124-107 loss to the Timberwolves on October 4 in Palm Desert, California.
However, Redick remained optimistic about Bronny’s overall potential. “I liked what I saw from him,” Redick said. “He’s incredibly coachable and brings great energy. He’s got a great attitude, and I genuinely enjoy being around him. He’s a good player, and we’re glad to have him.”
The 19-year-old rookie had his standout moments, particularly on defense, where he blocked three shots—the most by any guard in their preseason debut since Dwyane Wade recorded four blocks in 2003.
“Defensively, he can do things at his size that are pretty rare, and I think he could develop into a disruptive defender,” Redick noted.
Bronny also added a rebound, an assist, and a turnover during his 16 minutes off the bench.
Redick mentioned that Bronny’s solid showing in training camp had earned him the opportunity to play in the preseason opener. “As a staff, we were reviewing our rotation, and Bronny has had some impressive days in August and September. He had three standout days this week, and we’re pleased with his progress.”
LeBron James and Anthony Davis sat out the game for rest after their participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Redick indicated that LeBron is expected to play on October 6 against the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN. However, he did not specify whether LeBron and Bronny would play together.
Bronny tied with Gabe Vincent for the eighth-most minutes in the Lakers’ rotation, but with LeBron returning, his playing time in the next game remains uncertain, although preseason games often provide opportunities for younger players.
Max Christie, a third-year player, led the Lakers in minutes and made a significant impact. He contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in 34 minutes, shooting 5 of 9 from the field. Redick praised Christie’s maturity and resilience.
“Max is an old soul. He’s wise beyond his years and very serious about his game, which I really appreciate. It doesn’t surprise me that he played a lot and kept competing. That’s going to be valuable for us this season.”
Austin Reaves was the team’s top scorer with 16 points, along with seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Despite his leadership on the court, Reaves struggled with his shooting, making just 2 of 9 attempts.
