Former G-League DPOY highlights Bronny James' learning curve to become NBA ready
Bronny James had been the talk in NBA circles for years, long before he made it to the league. That's the kind of burden that comes with being LeBron James' firstborn son. Of course, there are also some perks and his arrival to the LA Lakers has been long discussed, with some claiming it was due to nepotism rather than merit.
Notably, Gary Payton II knows a thing or two about what Bronny might be feeling. As the son of a former NBA legend, he was also expected to follow his father's steps at some point. Payton, the 2021 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, spoke to GQ this week and discussed the expectations he and Bronny have both been shouldered with:
"Growing up, we have those expectations to follow your father sometimes and be as great as him. But if your dad is LeBron James, I can only imagine how different that feels. It’s the first time ever that a father and son are playing at the same time [in the NBA]. That’s crazy."
Of course, the Golden State Warriors guard also knows there are levels to everything, so his experience isn't like Bronny James'. Even so, as a former G-League alumni himself, he thinks his time there will help him grow as a player.
"I can’t even speak on that. No one has ever done it. But Bronny has been doing a great job handling it and just focusing on basketball. I think right now, the G League will help him tremendously and give him more opportunities. I really do."
JJ Redick tells Bronny James that it's "Okay to fail"
On Thursday, Bronny James had a breakout game for the South Bay Lakers, scoring a career-best 30 points. When asked what he needs to do to find more consistency, Lakers coach JJ Redick argued that he needs to take more risks and live with the results:
“He is very coachable. I’ve told him this: he has to get to the point where it’s okay to fail. I think he has a real reservation about failing,” Redick said on December 18.
“A lot of that stems from having a camera on him since he was eight years old. I can’t imagine Nox and Kai (his sons) having cameras at their recreational league games like Bronny has. The level of attention on him is something I’m very mindful of.”
Whether his father had something to do with him getting to the league or not, Bronny James will likely have to work twice as hard as anybody to prove that he belongs.