Bronny James, three days away from the one-year mark of his preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, is back at work proving his worth in the NBA. While his shooting was subpar at 1-for-12 during the Lakers’ season opener, he viewed the outing as a step in the right direction, echoing the sentiments of his coach, JJ Redick.

In the game against the Phoenix Suns, where the Lakers lost 103-81 with LeBron James and Luka Dončić sidelined, Bronny managed to score eight points, including a late 3-pointer which marked his sole successful field goal. Despite the challenges, Bronny remained optimistic, attributing his shooting struggles to a lack of proper footing.

“I felt like they were pretty good shots. Not rushed, not forcing anything… but most of them were on line.”

This game was pivotal, as it took place in the same arena where Bronny notably played alongside his father last October. Lakers fans showed less enthusiasm during this outing, a sign that expectations have shifted as Bronny works to establish himself beyond just being a novelty in the game.

Bronny was part of the first substitution group, playing nearly 23 minutes where he displayed a strong defensive game while continuing to adapt to Redick’s strategies. He expressed growing confidence and comfort with his role. In his rookie season, Bronny appeared in 27 games and honed his skills significantly in the G League, averaging 21.9 points and 5.5 assists.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as Coach Redick remarked on Bronny’s significant progress since his debut:

“He’s a totally different player than he was a year ago.”

The preseason will continue for the Lakers, with upcoming matchups allowing Bronny more opportunities to shine and solidify his place in the lineup.