Sporting News
Bronny James, the most notable name in the 2024 NBA Draft, has a new destination. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in Pick 55. This is not too surprising when compared to previous information.
Despite being the son of superstar LeBron James, Bronny James did not inherit his father’s talent. He had a below-average year at USC, averaging 4.8 points and was considered unlikely to go far in the professional arena.
One thing is for sure, Bronny James will not be able to become a top superstar in the NBA. For Bronny to survive in this league, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers need to choose the right direction for this young player. Playing a supporting role, with specific tasks will be the best path for the player born in 2004.
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Why is Bronny James a good fit for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Bronny James’ 3-point shooting ability
The Los Angeles Lakers are among the worst 3-point shooters in the NBA in the 2023-24 season, ranking 28th out of 30 teams in 3-point attempts. With renowned 3-point shooter JJ Redick taking over as coach for the 2024-25 season, he has promised to improve this. The Lakers will start by selecting names that can contribute to 3-point shooting in the 2024 NBA Draft, with Dalton Knecht at Pick 17 and Bronny James at Pick 55.
Bronny James is not a good 3-point shooter. He shot just 26.7 percent in his only season in college. However, the 2004-born player has good shooting form and had a good success rate in high school. Improving his shooting efficiency can be done by working with the Lakers’ coaching staff.
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That’s just in theory, because becoming a player with effective scoring efficiency with limited shots is very difficult. However, that would be the most suitable path for Bronny James. If he can’t shoot 3-pointers well, it will be very difficult for Bronny James to stay in the NBA. Opponents just need to ignore this player and focus on the rest. That’s also the situation that Ben Simmons has faced for many years and remember, Ben Simmons is a much higher rated player.
With JJ Redick coaching, fans have the right to expect Bronny James to improve his 3-point shooting performance in the near future.
Los Angeles Lakers can give Bronny James the right role
Bronny James is incapable of creating chances from possession and dribbling. That is definitely not his role, especially when playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Remember, the two players who have had the most minutes on the ball for the Lakers over the years are LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Bronny James’ talent is not enough to compete for this role, and he will have to focus on playing off the ball and playing a supporting role.
This is also a role that the Los Angeles Lakers can fill for Bronny James. They can put Bronny James in the necessary spaces, wait for the pass from his teammates and finish. As mentioned above, improving his 3-point shooting ability would be a great addition to this style of play.
Not to mention, Bronny James has a good vision and a stable passing ability. Even when he doesn’t make a shot, Bronny James can completely make suitable passing options for his teammates, depending on the situation on the field.
Bronny James is a good defensive player.
Bronny James is not a good scorer or attacker, but he has good defensive skills. Although he is only 1m88 tall, his 2m04 arm span will help him a lot in 1vs1 defense.
In addition to his physical attributes, Bronny James is also a tough tag player. Bronny James is proficient at wall-dodging and also plays aggressively to win the ball back for his teammates. The 2004-born player also has a good ability to read situations, which helps him block passes or shots from opponents. Bronny James understands his role on the field, and he is looking to maximize his strengths.
The addition of Bronny James would help the Los Angeles Lakers improve their perimeter defense. D’Angelo Russell has never been a great defensive player, while Austin Reaves also lacks the necessary skills to compete 1vs1 when marking an opposing player.
Bronny James could become a vital part of the counter-attacking situation
As mentioned, Bronny James has a good vision for the game. This not only helps him make high-impact passes, but also helps Bronny James recognize gaps in the opponent’s defense. A cutback when he sees an opportunity will be something Bronny James can take advantage of every time he plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Not to mention, Bronny James has good speed and transitional play. When he is 1-on-1 with the opposing ball carrier, Bronny James will have a better starting position if the Los Angeles Lakers launch quick counterattacks. Remember, the Lakers are 4th in the league in counterattack frequency, as well as 3rd in points scored from similar situations in the 2023/24 season.
Many people will not appreciate Bronny James’ skill set, but he has unique elements that can be used depending on the situation and the development of the game. If he can develop these, Bronny James will have a stable position in the NBA.
