EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- As a proud father, LeBron James walked along with his son before the Lakers officially introduced Bronny as their No. 55 pick at their practice facility on Tuesday.
As a supportive father, James then sat in the back row both to avoid the spotlight and to allow Bronny to take center stage.
That moment captured the delicate balance both LeBron and Bronny will try to strike as the NBA’s first father-son duo. Sometimes, LeBron and Bronny may want each other in their own presence. Other times, they may want to have their own space.
After all, both appear mindful of the perception that LeBron largely influenced the Lakers to select Bronny at No. 55 after averaging 4.8 points while shooting 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from 3 along with 2.1 assists during his freshman season at USC.
Dalton Knecht and Bronny James pose with their Lakers jerseys pic.twitter.com/vDJwFVEj1P
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 2, 2024
“I’ve already seen it on social media and stuff, and the Internet and stuff and talking about that I might not deserve an opportunity,” Bronny said. “But I’ve been dealing with stuff like this my whole life.
"So it’s nothing different. But it’s more amplified, for sure. But I’ll get through it.”
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, had stressed the Lakers mostly selected Bronny for his work ethic, character and potential over his connection to LeBron. Though the Lakers expect LeBron to re-sign with the Lakers on a multi-year deal, he declined his player option partly to see how the Lakers handle free agency.
After Pelinka and Lakers coach JJ Redick introduced both Bronny and their No. 17 pick (Dalton Knecht), however, Redick stressed that “Rob and I did not give Bronny anything; Bronny has earned this.”
Redick then added that “there’s a lot to like about his game,” including his feel, athleticism, point-of-attack defense, shooting and passing. Redick predicted Bronny’s “going to have a great opportunity to become an excellent NBA player” with more on-court reps, beginning with playing on the Lakers’ Summer League team in the California Classic in San Francisco (July 6-10) and in Las Vegas (July 12-22).
'Case study'
Redick pointed to Bronny as a “case study” on how well the Lakers utilize their player development program with an emphasis on skill work, analytics, weight training and nutrition. Yet, Bronny and LeBron will also provide a “case study” on how a father and son handle work dynamics. That involves how one of the NBA’s premier stars (LeBron) and a rookie prospect eager to make his mark (Bronny) work together.
LeBron has talked glowingly in the past two years about wanting to play with his Bronny in the NBA. Yet, Bronny stressed that he “never really had a thought of me going to play with my dad.”
“We haven’t gone too deep into that stuff yet, especially because we haven’t even started summer league yet,” Bronny said. “But just stuff that he’s been telling me my whole life, just having that work ethic and coming in and putting the work in and listening to your coaches and being coachable.
"Stuff like that, he’s driven into my head my whole life.”
While LeBron will begin practicing with the U.S. Men’s Olympic team in Las Vegas this weekend, the Lakers will receive a closer glimpse on how Bronny will play in Summer League. Then, Bronny hopes to show “his all-around game” after having a limited role at USC.
After staying sidelined for five months following a cardiac arrest during an off-season practice, Bronny then played on a minutes restriction (19.6 per game). Bronny also plans to play with aggression, improve his shooting and showcase his ability to defend both point guards and shooting guards.
Bronny has attended various Lakers games, including when LeBron eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Bronny also completed a pre-draft workout and spoke extensively with Pelinka at the NBA pre-draft combine and over a 90-minute lunch.
Yet, Bronny maintained he became more preoccupied with his work at Sierra Canyon and at USC than his occasional time around the Lakers.
“I had my own basketball stuff going on, so I wasn't really in my dad's pocket all day following him around the Lakers facility,” Bronny said. “I've had some stories, but I don't know what exactly is to come.”
Talk, talk
How exactly will LeBron and Bronny converse together? Will they banter with the same jovial spirit that James often does with Anthony Davis? Will they showcase the same seriousness that LeBron often shows toward other role players?
Will Bronny spend more of his time with the Lakers’ G League team, in practices and on the bench? Or will he actually receive rotation minutes? Will LeBron push directly or subtly for his son to receive playing time, or will he leave that up to Redick and his staff?
If the Lakers’ introductory press conference serves as any signal, LeBron appears likely to offer his support from afar without commanding any attention up close. One reporter observed to Bronny that James is sitting in the back “almost allowing you to have your own moment to write your own story.” That naturally led to a question on what story Bronny hopes to write.
“To be honest, living it by the days,” Bronny said. “Trying not to care about what other people think about me because there's a lot of people that have something to say.
"But yeah, I'm just taking it by the day and staying sane while doing it.”
Once the 20-minute press conference ended, Bronny then conversed with LeBron and their agent (Rich Paul). Shortly afterwards, they all went their separate ways. As much as Bronny appears appreciative of his father’s influence and support, he also wants to carve his own path.