LeBron James and his son Bronny James have started a working relationship as teammates in the Los Angeles Lakers during the preseason. Bronny, like any other Lakers rookies before him who tried to make their mark around LeBron, is concurrently benefitting from the mentorship of the four-time MVP who also happens to be his father.
The Lakers’ star forward’s guidance is exactly what the 20-year-old rookie needed after his rather average performance during the Lakers’ 2024 preseason games. He only managed to record an average of 4.2 points out of 24.3% shooting, including 8.3% from the three-point area 1.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists, coupled with 1.2 turnovers.
Somehow, things would change for the better for LeBron James’ son in their sixth and final preseason game, where he would be in the starting lineup and play for 35 minutes. LeBron, who sat out the whole game along with other rotation players, took to instagram to sum up what he thought of Bronny in that game.
“The blueprint,” said LeBron’s caption on his instagram story featuring a picture of him with his son.
Despite the Lakers’ 132-74 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday, Bronny was able to put up his best preseason performance that night. He scored 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting, four rebounds, and three steals. He showed some sparks of potential in the game, but it didn’t seem able to reach the NBA level yet.
Moving forward, the rookie won’t have his father around as much as he did when he saw a bit more floor time on Friday. He is unlikely to make the Lakers’ rotation in the coming season, and is expected to go to the G League and develop a bit more with the South Bay Lakers.
LeBron James coached Bronny vs. Suns on his day off
Just like when LeBron James didn’t play in the Lakers’ final preseason game on Friday, he also didn’t suit up for the game before it against the Phoenix Suns. Despite that, he still went to Phoenix as his son Bronny James would be in action.
Bronny got to play important minutes in the fourth quarter of that game alongside Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell, opposite the Suns’ Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. LeBron wasn’t directly involved in the on-court action, instead choosing to coach Bronny from the sidelines.
The Lakers got the 128-122 overtime win over the Suns following Dalton Knecht’s 20 straight points in the clutch. LeBron James’ son contributed four points on 2-of-4 shooting in the 17 minutes he played.
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