Bronny James made waves at this 12 months’s Las Vegas Summer season League, and it wasn’t simply due to his improved play.
Hypothesis round a possible bodily transformation had been swirling, and now the 20-year-old has confirmed it.
“Yeah, for certain,” Bronny instructed Lakers reporter Mike Trudell when requested if he had added important muscle forward of his second season. “Positively utilizing my physique extra (than in highschool, at USC and) once I was first drafted. I wasn’t utilizing my physique as nicely, however the physicality within the NBA is at a means greater stage, so I needed to get my physique proper.”
Bronny regarded noticeably stronger and extra assured throughout 5 Summer season League video games. He averaged 14.3 factors, 3.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 24.3 minutes per recreation, whereas taking pictures an environment friendly 48 p.c from the sector, 35 p.c from three and 79 p.c from the road.
Lakers Summer season League head coach Lindsey Harding praised the leap Bronny produced from Yr 1 to Yr 2.
“He’s been nice,” Harding mentioned. “Having his time within the G League, getting an increasing number of confidence, after which coming right here and taking extra minutes and duty on his shoulders. Dealing with the ball way more than he has up to now and making these selections and reads for us, he’s taken that function on as a pacesetter, that was additionally a part of his progress. After which on the defensive finish, the place he had these moments the place he can actually strain (the ball), decide up full court docket, be disruptive. That’s one thing the place he can actually have an instantaneous impression for our staff this season.”
James credited his time within the G League for accelerating his improvement.
“I positively suppose these G League reps have been wonderful for me to be snug in my recreation, in order that’s helped for me to be on the market for an prolonged time period,” Bronny mentioned. “My confidence has grown from final 12 months, all through the G League season and a few NBA video games. It’s been a sluggish development, however it’s figuring out to this point.”
READ MORE: Blazers Rookie Yang Hansen Shares Story of Father’s Powerful Love
