Lakers HC JJ Redick makes feelings known on treating LeBron James' son Bronny James differently
Lakers HC JJ Redick made his feelings known about treating Bronny James differently because he is LeBron James' son ahead of Sunday's preseason game between the Lakers and Suns. The notion is that Bronny will have to be treated, different especially because of his relationship with the franchise player, in this case, LeBron.
However, Redick doesn't view it that way. The rookie coach admitted that a relationship with a star player is different, but nothing would change between him and Bronny because of it.
"I don't look at it any differently than coaching any other player or managing any other player-coach relationship," Redick told reporters (via Spectrum SportsNet). "In fact, having lived this for a long time, not personally, but witnessing it, the coach-star relationship is always different.
"The fact that it's LeBron's son, that's certainly a part of it, but not gonna treat that dynamic or Bronny any differently than I would any other player. I'll coach and manage him like I would - Max [Christie], or Austin [Reaves]."
Bronny James' draft selection by the Lakers has been widely perceived by a nepotism angle associated with it. Many felt he wasn't ready for the NBA yet, but LeBron James' reputation within the league and the Lakers sped up the process of Bronny getting fast-tracked into his professional career.
However, Redick has always maintained that the 20-year-old earned his draft selection rather than just getting it handed on a silver platter.
LeBron James and Bronny James create NBA preseason history
LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father-son duo in NBA history to step on the court together on Sunday. Bronny and LeBron shared the floor in the second quarter of the game against the Suns. They got a rousing ovation from the Acrisure Arena crowd in Palm Springs.
JJ Redick said he would naturally let that moment take place, which happened as LA went deep in its rotation in the first half. LeBron was also on a minute restriction, potentially playing only in the contest's first half alone.
They didn't enjoy much success in their first shared minutes on the floor, as the Lakers lost those by three points.