LeBron James Wants Bronny to ‘Walk Through Fire’

Bronny has seen limited action through 11 games this season, averaging 1.9 points on 28.6 percent shooting from the floor while logging 10.2 minutes and hoisting 2.5 FGA per game.

Still, LeBron emphasized the value of getting game reps.

“For a young player, the more and more time that you get, the better you get,” James said. “The more and more of the nuances you get—you get better with the speed, you get better with the strength, you get better with everything.”

James pointed to games in which the Lakers missed a few of their veterans, pointing to those opportunities as chances Bronny seized to show signs of growth.

“I think, in games where Luka (Doncic) was out, or (Austin Reaves) was out, or Marcus (Smart) was out...” James said. “I think we had back-to-back games. I forgot who we played at home, and then we had a back-to-back game in Portland. I was just super proud of him, of the maturation process of him being able to not only play well at home and then have a back-to-back in a tough environment in Portland, and then do it again.

Added James: “That’s what the NBA is all about. Not only what have you done for me lately, but can you do a back-to-back? So, uh, that was pretty cool.”

As for balancing his role as a father and the veteran leader of the Lakers, including instructing his son Bronny, LeBron said he tries to separate those responsibilities.

“I think for me it’s definitely, like you said, it is a fine line,” James said. “But you know, when we’re in practice and in games and things of that nature, it’s the leadership. It’s, you know, me being—I’m one of the guys and one of the leaders of the team.

“But we have our side time where I can, you know, tell him about what I’ve seen, what I saw, whatever. I just want him to—he has to walk his own journey, and I can give him the blueprint, and I can give him some of the things that I’ve seen, but I want him to walk through the fire as well.”

Bronny recently returned from a brief G League assignment but remains on the outside looking in of head coach JJ Redick’s main rotation.