Last week, it was reported that USC wing Bronny James would enter the transfer portal. After an unexpectedly poor performance in his freshman season, it wasn’t astonishing. However, days later, James announced that he decided to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft, a revelation that threw the basketball world into a frenzy.
Baron Davis Dishes On Bronny James’ Pro Prospects
On Sunday, Los Angeles native and former NBA star Baron Davis gave his thoughts on James’ decision.
“Smart move,” Davis says, per TMZ Sports.
“I think for him declaring for the draft might be good because he may be a better pro than he is a college player.”
Frankly, James’ 2023-24 campaign presents a low bar. In 25 games, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 steals in 19.3 minutes per game. Even worse, he shot 36.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from 3.
However, the reason Davis believes James could perform better at the pro level is the style of play in the NBA. As he explains why James could be better in the NBA, Davis says, “just because the pro game is a lot different.”
“It’s more free-flowing,” he continues. “You’re not coached every moment. You’re not playing zone all the time. From what I’ve seen from Bronny, he’s an athletic, smart point guard. He can shoot the ball. So, if I was him, I’d try my hand too.”
As the son of one of the smartest players of all-time, James’ basketball IQ is already at an NBA level. He most often displays this with his court vision, making smart and timely reads. At the other end, his awareness (and athleticism) underscores his defensive technique.
Davis may have misspoken. However, his classifying James as a point guard is significant if not.
Up to this point, James has been considered a hybrid guard. He isn’t a true point guard because he hasn’t been able to consistently create separation with his ball-handling. Yet, at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he doesn’t have enough size to be a true shooting guard.
Davis was an NBA point guard for 13 seasons. As a result, he has first-hand knowledge of what it would take for a player to make it at his position. Furthermore, he had a similar size as James at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds. He sees James being better in the NBA because there’s better pace, space, and flow but James playing more point guard could also help.
For one, James’ greatest offensive strength right now is his passing. Secondly, his basketball IQ is best utilized as an on-ball playmaker. Lastly, primarily playing on-ball could allow him to be more productive and efficient, especially if he plays more of a downhill style.
Davis left one more note on James, saying he would love to see father and son team up.
“I want to see Bronny and LeBron play on the same team,” Davis says. “That’ll be hard. Like Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.”
Based on reports from this season, LeBron James is seemingly at peace with the possibility he won’t play alongside his son. However, there’s no doubt that it’s still his dream, even if it doesn’t come true.
