JJ Redick on Bronny James' growth and path forward

[ASFN Admin]

While Bronny James has a very long way to go if he is to ever become a useful, if not a good, NBA player, he has also come a long way in just a couple of months.

While he isn't playing in the G League on a consistent basis, when he has played in the G League, he has shown some real growth, and he has had a number of big games there lately. At the NBA level, he has been relegated to spot duty during garbage time, but when the Los Angeles Lakers were without four starters and six rotation players on Thursday, his number was called.

He played 30 minutes and scored 17 points while shooting 7-of-10 overall and 2-of-4 from 3-point range. He also dished off five assists, including an impressive full-length outlet pass to big man Markieff Morris for a fast-break layup.

Head coach JJ Redick praised the 20-year-old rookie after the Lakers lost 118-89 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

"We've obviously monitored him in the G [League] and feel like in those end games situations, when he's gotten a chance to play with us, he's been really good. Not surprised by tonight, I think his confidence is growing.

"I think the next step is becoming an elite conditioned athlete. When he does that with his physical tools and his burst and his handle, we think he's gonna be an above average to a really good NBA shooter."

Redick added that he saw a video of James at last year's NBA combine, which prompted him to text James' father, LeBron James, and remark about how level-headed the guard seemed.

The younger James seems a lot more comfortable and confident during game situations than he did just weeks ago. Perhaps he does have a real shot at making it in the NBA after all, although that end result is still likely a couple of years away, if it does ever take place.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on Bronny James' growth and path forward

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