Bronny James may not have had the most explosive rookie season by the numbers-averaging just 2.3 points per game in limited minutes-but his attitude and approach have earned him serious respect inside the Los Angeles Lakers organization.
Rather than focus on scoring or his status as the son of NBA legend LeBron James, Bronny is concentrating on what he can control: his defense.
A recent interview clip that quickly went viral captured his mindset perfectly. “There’s going to be guys that can score 15, 20 points a game,” Bronny said. “I’m most likely not going to be that guy right now. To get myself on the floor, I have to be a defensive menace. That’s my main focus.”
The video, widely shared across social media, drew praise from fans and analysts alike. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the reaction to Bronny’s comments was “almost universally positive,” and reflected the exact qualities Lakers coaches have appreciated since drafting him.
Bronny, who was a 5-star recruit out of high school, has shown flashes of his all-around game in both Summer League and G League play. In 11 G League games last season, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game-numbers that suggest significant potential on both ends of the court.
Defensive edge could be Bronny’s path to NBA minutes
While offensive skills matter, Bronny seems to understand that carving out a role in the NBA often starts with effort and defense-especially on a team with established stars like the Lakers. That awareness is part of why the organization is high on his development.
“Credit to him,” said South Bay Lakers coach Zach Guthrie. “He’s blocked out a lot of the outside noise and stayed focused on himself and improving every day.”
Bronny’s commitment to conditioning and defense is also a smart strategic move. His goal for the upcoming season is to use his energy and defensive intensity to earn trust from the coaching staff. “It’s been shown that I can score a little,” he said. “But I’m locking in on the other end now.”
At just 20 years old, Bronny is still in the early stages of his professional journey. With the right mindset and continued growth, he has every opportunity to become more than just a famous name. For now, his focus on hustle and defense may be exactly what keeps him on the Lakers’ floor.
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