For all the criticism that he’s faced since declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James has looked a lot like a rotation-caliber NBA player lately.
The general public has started to come around on James’s potential, partly due to him putting up nine points in eight minutes when the Lakers last faced the Utah Jazz. He’s also had multiple head-turning performances with the South Bay Lakers, where he’s often been assigned to hone his skills. In fact, he’s averaging a very respectable 22.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game in the G League.
With James now able to get pointers from a Hall of Fame-caliber point guard, he might end the season on an even higher note.
Bronny James Learning From Luka Doncic
James’s most recent game was another G League matchup. While his father faced off against the Denver Nuggets, he sliced and diced his way to 24 points, while adding six assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block in a win over the Valley Suns. He was also efficient, shooting 10-16 from the floor and 4-6 from beyond the arc.
Bronny James vs Suns :
24 PTS
10-16 FG (62%)
4-6 3PT (66%)
6 AST
5 REB
2 STL
1 BLK
+12 +/-Bronny missed out on the Lakers vs Denver game but stayed home in LA to get some valuable reps in. When he is aggressive he clearly can hoop, he’s been having a good month in February,… pic.twitter.com/4NxrvXsF9i
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) February 23, 2025
The G League might be the NBA’s minor league, but it was still a great display of skill and confidence.
Afterwards, James spoke to reporters, explaining his mindset as a scorer. In the process, he relayed what he’s been able to learn from new teammate Luka Doncic in their short time together:
“Just his patience,” he says (h/t ClutchPoints reporter Raj Chipalu). “Just being able to be unpredictable.”
Asked Bronny post game about what he’s taken from his short time with Luka so far:
“Just his patience. Just being able to be unpredictable. You never know what he’s going to do. That’s the best thing I’ve seen so far from. I just keep trying to pick up stuff from him” pic.twitter.com/6lUaob6mEs
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) February 23, 2025
“I just keep trying to pick up stuff from him.”
24 pts & over 20 in 4 of 5. Lot of floaters/middy finishes off the bounce. Asked Bronny how important that part of his game is:
“Mainly trying to get down hill. Get in the paint draw fouls. I feel like I can score at all three levels. Just taking everything that’s open for me. pic.twitter.com/Osbf75vmrg
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) February 23, 2025
Suffice it to say, when it comes to scoring and playmaking, there aren’t many better players to pick stuff up from. His dad is one of few. However, when considering that Doncic is relatively average in terms of his athleticism, there are aspects of his approach that James might find more replicable.
Bronny with the Luka deceleration pic.twitter.com/JhCKpVGmH1
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) February 23, 2025
With that in mind, James’s best was probably already yet to come. Yet, with another brain to pick —another superstar he can consistently watch up-close —his ceiling might get a bit more roomy.
© Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
