The Los Angeles Lakers opened their preseason with a 103–81 loss to the Phoenix Suns and a 111-103 defeat, but the spotlight was firmly on Bronny James, who endured a difficult shooting night in his sophomore debut.
The 20-year-old guard went just 1-12 from the field and 1-for-8 from three with eight points in the first game, and 2-6 for 5 points in the second. Despite the rough stat line, head coach JJ Redick was quick to highlight the progress Bronny has made since his rookie season.
“He is so much more comfortable and confident as a player,” Redick told reporters. “Skill-wise, read-wise, all of those things have improved, but there’s a big difference between improving those things in individual workouts and small group settings and then doing it 5-on-5. I’ve just felt like all of September and in our first three days of camp, he just looks more comfortable and confident. He’s a totally different player than he was a year ago.”
Redick emphasized that Bronny’s development won’t always be reflected in shooting percentages, but in his ability to defend, make reads, and play within the team’s system.
“In terms of his growth, he’s going to have to be an impact defender,” Redick added. “It’s really about the conditioning, knowing our defenses, and being disruptive. That’s where I’d like to see even more growth this year.”
Bronny appeared in 27 games last season, averaging just 2.3 points in limited minutes. But in the G League with South Bay, he showed flashes of his potential, averaging over 20 points per game with strong playmaking and defensive numbers. That growth has carried into training camp, where coaches have praised his confidence and decision-making.
While the shooting struggles will draw headlines, the Lakers remain encouraged by Bronny’s trajectory. Redick’s message was clear: development is a process, and Bronny is trending in the right direction.
