Bronny James’ rookie season ended with a brutal playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The much-hyped Los Angeles Lakers came unstuck, leaving LeBron James with a huge decision to make over his future with the 40-year-old having a $52.6 million player option for the 2025 season.
LeBron got to live his dream and suit up with BronnyGettyFor Bronny, the focus is reflecting on a campaign which saw him make history as half of the NBA‘s first father-son duo, endure a barrage of media attention and find his feet in the G League after a slow start.
“It’s a blessing,” Bronny told FOX Sports when asked about playing alongside the all-time great he calls dad.
“Being able to learn from him, not only as a player, but as a dad. It’s a different type of relationship.
“I try to take full advantage of it because it’s something that a lot of people can’t have. It was an amazing experience for me.
“And I’m looking forward to learning more from him, if he’s still here or not, either way. But I’m just looking forward to it.”
There may be advantages for Bronny if LeBron decides not to return, able to develop his game without his Hall of Fame-bound dad casting a long shadow.
But the 20-year-old isn’t ready to go out on his own just yet.
“Yeah, for sure,” Bronny told FOX when asked if he wants to play another season with his father.
“However long he can come back for, it’s always a pleasure being around him. He’s locked in. The stuff he does for his body and the preparation and stuff like that, I want to take full advantage of it.”
LeBron made it clear for years that he was determined to play alongside his son and got his wish via the second round of the 2024 Draft.
The Lakers suffered another first-round exitGetty Redick saw plenty of potential in Bronny’s gameThe NBA’s all-time leading scorer and four-time champion was asked where the feat ranks among his career accomplishments and his response was emphatic.
“No.1, for sure,” he said.
“That’s easy. It is not even close. To be able to play the game that I love and to be able to be along with my son this whole year has been one of the most gratifying, satisfying journeys I’ve ever been on.”
Bronny averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists in the G League but didn’t make much of an impact in limited minutes for the Lakers.
Coach JJ Redick has seen enough to be optimistic about the future.
“With his physical tools and just his burst and his handle, we think he’s going to be an above-average to really good NBA shooter,” he said. “He’s gonna have a chance to really make an impact.”
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After trading for Luka Doncic, many felt the Lakers could mount a title challenge.
And Redick warned the team that he expects more next season.
“I’ll start with the offseason and the work that’s required in an offseason to be in championship shape,” he said after the playoff loss.
“And we have a ways to go as a roster. And certainly, there are individuals that were in phenomenal shape. There’s certainly other ones that could have been in better shape.
“That’s where my mind goes immediately is we have to get in championship shape.”
LeBron has a close relationship with Redick, having created the Mind the Game podcast alongside the former TV analyst, and thinks his coach did well despite a lack of experience on the sidelines.
“I think JJ will continue to grow. He had a hell of a rookie campaign for a rookie coach,” he said.
“It’s a lot different being a rookie coach. It’s already hard being a rookie coach in the NBA, and it’s a hell of a lot harder being a rookie head coach, coaching the Lakers. That’s a whole other ball game.
“I thought he handled it extremely well. I thought he just learned every single day. He held us accountable, he pushed us.”
LeBron will not get many more chances to add a fifth ring, the Lakers have work to do as Redick and Bronny enter their sophomore seasons.
The rookie tag is gone, now it’s time to step up.
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