Bronny James believes that new Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has already left his mark on the organization, as his experiences don’t match up with what he heard about last season.
The Lakers rookie, who also happens to be the son of LeBron James, is enjoying working under Redick who is also looking to prove doubters wrong this season. Redick has never coached in the NBA but was handed a golden opportunity after the Lakers parted ways with Darwin Ham, and failed to replace him with UConn head coach Dan Hurley.
“He’s a great coach so far,” Bronny said on Friday before the Lakers’ opening preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. “Been amazing vibes in the facility so far so I feel like it’s upped the vibes from what it was last year, from what I’ve heard.”
Although Bronny didn’t disclose who told him about the ‘vibes’ last season, seeing as LeBron is his father it’s likely that the Lakers may have come up in conversation. Ham left the Lakers after two seasons with a 90-74 record, but the first-round postseason exit last year contributed to his exit.
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Bronny had already played in the NBA Summer League but got his first preseason reps with the Lakers roster in the second quarter on Friday. LeBron didn’t play in the game, meaning that fans will have to wait for the father-son duo to appear on the court at the same time.
James and Anthony Davis are expected to get reps in the second preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, but were given extra time after returning late from the Paris Olympics where they clinched gold with Team USA. Without LeBron, Bronny was left to go through the pregame process alone and admitted to nerves after a shootaround on Friday morning.
“Of course, there are nerves,” Bronny said. “Comes with everything. But I’m just excited to go out there and learn and learn from the people playing in front of me. And if I get a chance to showcase my game, then I’m going to do that to the best of my ability.”
It’s a huge season for Redick too, taking charge of one of the biggest sports teams who not only have an NBA icon in their ranks, but now his son also. Redick may not have a proven track record, but his former coach Mike Krzyzewski is confident he can make it work.
Krzyzewski coached Redick for four years at Duk, and coached James during Team USA’s gold medal runs at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. He told Fox Sports: “Make no mistake about it, he can coach. He wants to win so badly, but he backs it up. JJ prepared as well as anybody that I ever coached.
“LeBron and JJ are friends. It’s not just about being friends though,” Krzyzewski added. “You have to be partners in this, and here’s what I know: LeBron wants to win. JJ wants to win. It’s a matter of them and the people they’re with to work that out.”
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