Bronny James laughed at the comment because it’s ridiculous to have a reporter announce that he’s tied for the third-longest streak with the Lakers.
He enters his third season tied with Dalton Knecht and right behind Austin Reaves (entering his sixth season) and Jarred Vanderbilt (going on four more).
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James is now a veteran and is trying to find his role with the Bruins.
“Crazy, right? AR’s blocking my calls,” James said, cracking up. “I’m like, ‘I guess.’
Man is naturally reserved for lakes. But as the point guard admits his job is to talk more, to help organize the offense, make some of his nine new teammates understand what Lakers coach JJ Redick expects.
For the first time with two years of high school, James did not say much that his father, LeBron James, was the leader and a big voice on the team.
Read more: Early defensive power impresses Austin Reaves, JJ Redick
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As a 21-year-old, Bronny James is leading in his own way, as Redick wants all of his players to do.
“I was definitely getting better and better every day trying to keep my point,” James said. “Like taking those steps, I’m going to encourage my guys, getting them in the right places and getting things done like that. We’re organized.
“Obviously, that’s what point guard is. You have to talk to your guys, where you need people to help. I take pride in that, for sure. If somebody goes out — if somebody goes out — I’m the guy to go in and be the primary ballhandler, and get my guys in the right places. So, I remember, I’m sure about that.”
James played in 42 regular season games last season, averaging 2.9 points and shooting 40.9% from the field.
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Although he didn’t put up big numbers in games, James was solid in his role, especially on defense. He played in eight post-season games, averaging 1.5 points and shooting 50% from the field.
This current high school team has depth and talent on the line.
Read more: It’s a disgrace to choose Derrin Horton to be the new public address announcer
James knows that it will take a lot of work to find a role in the team.
“Continuing to come into the gym and staying after practice, just working hard, competing, playing, just trying to make a mark,” James said. “I think it’s just instinct in the formation of the defense, how I was in the playoffs, picking up the full court. I emphasized that because I was one of the guys that picks every possession full court, every time we get a bucket, like picking up the full court.
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“And just being the first ballhandler for my team. We’re playing against Luka.” [Doncic] and AR today, so me, Q*[uentin Grimes]or J*[aden] Hardy, the guys on the team, were the primary ballhandlers, giving us confidence.”
James insists that he is in the Ugly.
Every day during these training camp sessions, James has been tested when he has to defend Doncic and Reaves, two of the most dynamic guards in the NBA.
But that can only help the lake.
“Obviously, I’m going to do better on the defensive end as I read the full court,” James said. “I turn away from them, they are a nuisance to me. I will only continue to do what will make me better for sure.”
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James worked on a jump shot. He accuses more defined, a sign that he has worked well in his body.
“Like I’m going to keep coming at it and it’s working. I’ve been in the gym all summer working on the fluidity and speed of my release, just moving stuff,” James said. “That tied, I just run a lot. I’m the same weight, 215 or 220-ish, but I’m still slim so I can move fast. I just enter the gym every day and keep training continuous.”
Ugly in four days of training, all vigorous, all energetic.
They play their first preseason games Monday in Sacramento and then Tuesday in Golden State.
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That will give James and the rest of his teammates a chance to carve out roles.
“I definitely think it’s still a process. It’s definitely a few games to go for everyone,” James said. “We’re trying to figure out our strategies and things, but we’re also trying to experiment with the lineups. I’ve been here for a while now, so I know what my role is, but definitely for the new guys.”
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This story first appeared in the Los Angeles Times.