Bronny James has struggled in his opening video games for the Los Angeles Lakers. He went 3-of-14 from the field when going through the Houston Rockets in Las Vegas Summer time League motion on Friday. Since coming into the NBA, the media highlight on the rookie guard has intensified, and it’ll solely proceed to get brighter.
Throughout a latest look on Sirius XM NBA Radio, Lakers head coach JJ Redick in contrast James’ upside to that of Lu Dort. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is an elite on-ball defender who additionally operates as a glue man for Mark Daigneault’s staff.
“He is a growth participant,” Redick mentioned. “…What we’re in search of, is defensive ball-pressure … Lu Dort’s impression — you may’t get into your offense typically. The shot clock winds down due to his ball stress. He actually blows up whole performs due to that stress. And I actually consider this: Bronny ultimately will probably be that man.”
Dort completed final season within the 82nd percentile for defensive estimated plus-minus. He was arguably a top-five on-ball defender within the Western Convention. His presence is a major a part of the Thunder’s latest success, and it is why he began 79 video games for the rising powerhouse.
James has an extended method to go to reach Dort’s level of protection. It should take numerous hours of labor behind the scenes. His conditioning and total method to the sport should additionally enhance. Nevertheless, if the Lakers can work with the rookie guard to get him to the same degree, Los Angeles would have struck gold with its late second-round decide.
After all, Redick’s expectations may show too excessive for James, and he might battle to succeed in such a lofty purpose. However, it is clear that Redick views the younger guard’s greatest function as a defensive stopper. The problem for followers will probably be that protection is way more durable to quantify through the field rating or a stat sheet.
James will undoubtedly obtain a major quantity of scrutiny and criticism within the coming months. Nonetheless, if he can emerge as a high-level point-of-attack defender, he would be the one to have the final chortle.