The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have a really good rookie on roster in guard Dalton Knecht, who went off for 35 points in an overtime preseason win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
The other half of their rookie class, Bronny James, will be followed much closer this season than the typical second-round pick due to his relation to his dad and teammate LeBron James. One big question may loom over the younger James’ rookie season: Can he carve out a career for himself in the NBA?
Chris Brickley, one of basketball’s most respected trainers who has worked with stars such as Suns forward Kevin Durant, longtime forward Carmelo Anthony and Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers, thinks the 20-year-old has what it takes.
“He wants to improve,” Chris Brickley said of James to Bleacher Report’s Justin Robertson. “I think he’s a lot better than people think. From his ball-handling, to shooting, to athleticism, to IQ, it’s way higher than people give him credit for. I think he’s going to have a long career in the NBA.”
Of course, James averaged 4.8 points per game at USC in his lone collegiate season, and hasn’t exactly put up big numbers in the preseason.
He had his best game Thursday night against Phoenix, where he tallied four points on 2-of-4 shooting in 17 minutes. But in the four games prior, James totaled four points on 2-of-16 shooting with five turnovers. Bronny’s career is just getting started, and he’ll definitely take some time to get used to the pace of the NBA game-like every rookie.
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