{"id":111937,"date":"2024-12-13T10:55:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T15:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=111937"},"modified":"2024-12-13T10:55:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T15:55:48","slug":"lakers-bronny-james-career-games-alter-trajectory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/13\/lakers-bronny-james-career-games-alter-trajectory\/","title":{"rendered":"Bronny James\u2019s Career Games Alter His Career Trajectory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James<\/a> is a lightning rod for controversial takes. Sharing a bloodline, let alone a name, with arguably the greatest player of all-time is calamitous enough. The only other NBA players or hopefuls who could have shared his reality are Michael Jordan<\/a>\u2019s sons, Jeffery and Marcus. However, neither of Jordan\u2019s sons decided to continue their basketball journey after college.<\/p>\n

With that being said, James would\u2019ve been in uncharted territory regardless. The fact that he struggled mightily<\/a> in his freshman year at USC is what has everyone so riled up though.<\/p>\n

The media hype surrounding a player with his background was par for the course. Indeed, even if James was an anonymous face, the fact that he entered the NBA draft a year after a near death experience<\/a> would\u2019ve been newsworthy. Yet, teams fighting to draft<\/a> a prospect who put up 4.8 points per game in college was ludicrous. The idea that he was in play<\/a> for the Lakers\u2019 No. 17 pick defied logic.<\/p>\n

Bronny James\u2019s Career Games Alter His Career Trajectory<\/h2>\n

Since being selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, James has received more media coverage than many established NBA stars. That led to resentment from fans and perhaps even some teammates<\/a>. Nonetheless, it seems like most people want to see him prove himself worthy of the hoopla.<\/p>\n

Like many young players, he\u2019s had moments, however infrequently. In Summer League, preseason, and even the regular season. The Lakers\u2019 decision to assign him<\/a> to their G League affiliate felt long overdue though.<\/p>\n

The G League is the NBA\u2019s developmental league. What better place for James to train than in a competitive environment?<\/p>\n

His spot minutes against NBA teams were illuminating, whether he was missing an open three or walling off an All-Star with his low post defense<\/a>. Yet, playing a full game gives him more freedom. It grants him the opportunity to find out who he really is.<\/p>\n

Who Is Bronny James, Really?<\/h3>\n

Entering the draft, many had him pegged as a 3-and-D wing. There were a couple of former NBA players who wondered whether he was more of a point guard<\/a>. Indeed, up to his G League assignment, James could be switching between the styles, assessing which one he felt most comfortable with.<\/p>\n

Within the last week, he\u2019s found an answer to his primary question. His back-to-back career nights have shown<\/a> that he\u2019s at his best as an attacking lead guard. There have been definitive improvements to his overall game.<\/p>\n

\n

16 PTS \ud83d\udc4f 4 REB \ud83d\udc4f 2 AST @lakers<\/a> rookie Bronny James posted a new CAREER-HIGH to help the @southbaylakers<\/a> defeat the Clippers! pic.twitter.com\/LUGIhcynDH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n