JJ Redick’s Brutally Honest Grade For Bronny James’ Rookie Season
JJ Redick's Brutally Honest Grade For Bronny James' Rookie Season
JJ Redick has given Bronny James an A+ grade for his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The first-year head coach praised Bronny’s consistent character and ability to handle both positive and negative attention while maintaining his work ethic.
“I give him an A+,” Redick said. “How he has personally handled a lot of attention, good and bad, he doesn’t ever break character. He’s the same guy every day and he doesn’t allow the good attention to get to him. He doesn’t allow the bad attention to get to him and he just continues to work.
“I told him I’m very high on him long-term being a part of our rotation.”
Bronny received his first NBA start in the Lakers’ season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 13, 2025. During this game, he played 38 minutes and contributed 4 points on 2-for-10 shooting, along with 6 assists and 4 steals. While his shooting percentage wasn’t impressive, his defensive activity and playmaking abilities were noteworthy.
The young guard has shown steady improvement throughout the season. His development has been particularly evident in his G League performances, where he averaged 21.9 points and 5.4 assists in 34.2 minutes per game. This significant production at the developmental level demonstrates his potential for growth.
Redick has expressed confidence in Bronny’s long-term prospects, stating that he envisions him becoming part of the Lakers’ regular rotation. This vote of confidence from his coach suggests that Bronny has displayed qualities beyond what appears in the box score.
Despite facing intense scrutiny as LeBron James’ son, Bronny has maintained his composure throughout the season. Critics have questioned his NBA readiness and suggested nepotism played a role in his selection, but Redick’s assessment indicates that Bronny has handled these challenges professionally.
The Lakers secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, and Bronny’s presence on the roster has not been detrimental to the team’s success. While he hasn’t produced star-level statistics, his ability to contribute in meaningful ways when called upon suggests potential for development.
Key areas for Bronny to focus on include:
- Improving shooting consistency
- Building physical strength
- Continuing to develop playmaking skills
- Maintaining defensive intensity
As Bronny prepares for his sophomore season, his rookie campaign can be viewed as a foundation upon which to build. The combination of G League experience and NBA exposure has provided valuable learning opportunities that should serve him well going forward.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
