Los Angeles Lakers newly appointed head coach JJ Redick has said that Bronny James has earned his place in the team through hard work. Recently, the Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th pick in the second round of the draft.
James Jr thanked JJ Redick and vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka for everything they have given him but the head coach said the youngster fully deserves his place.
“Rob and I did not give Bronny anything,” he said during a news conference Tuesday to introduce James and No. 17 pick Dalton Knecht. “Bronny has earned this. … Bronny has earned this through hard work.”
“For sure, amplified amount of pressure,” Bronny said of the attention surrounding his joining the Lakers. “I’ve already seen it on social media and stuff, and the internet and stuff and talking about that I might not deserve an opportunity. But I’ve been dealing with stuff like this my whole life. So it’s nothing different, but it’s more amplified, for sure. But I’ll get through it.”
Bronny, 19, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game in his lone season at USC. But he was sidelined for five months after suffering a cardiac arrest. Bronny feels he could have perfected his game had he not suffered a medical emergency.
“I feel like I could’ve been perfecting my game more,” Bronny said. “I feel like I’ve been given the opportunity to showcase what I can really do because I wasn’t given that much of an opportunity at SC. I’m excited for what is to come.”
Bronny said he never thought of playing with his father, LeBron James, but now when he is all set to do so, he wants to put in the work and keep getting better.
“Rob has told me that there’s a great development system here, so I just want to come in and get my work in and get better every day,” Bronny said. “I never really had a thought of me going to play with my dad. But that’s always there to take part of. But that wasn’t the main focus of mine.”
