Los Angeles Lakers affiliate head coach Nate McMillan is optimistic about what Bronny James can usher in his second NBA season.
“I really like Bronny,” McMillan mentioned on The Sports activities Store just lately. “Nice younger man and we count on him to presumably get some minutes this yr.”
That’s no small job given the Lakers’ offseason strikes. They added former Defensive Participant of the 12 months Marcus Sensible to a backcourt already that includes Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent.
Nonetheless, McMillan believes James has put himself in place after battling by adversity in his rookie yr.
“We’ve seen a number of progress from yr one,” McMillan mentioned. “He had, I believed, a very good Summer season League this yr. A younger man like that coming in with any such strain that he got here into the league with final yr was unbelievable.
“Once we performed within the Las Vegas Summer season League final yr and this yr, his video games have been offered out to see him. The fanbase has actually, I believe, for essentially the most half, been actually supportive of him.”
Bronny’s second Summer season League confirmed that progress, 14.2 factors on 47.6 % taking pictures, plus 3.8 assists and a pair of.8 rebounds. That’s a leap from final yr’s 8.8 factors on 35 % taking pictures.
“He spent a number of time within the G League this season and I actually really feel that helped him as a result of when he got here out into this Summer season League… you can see the boldness,” McMillan mentioned. “He was rather more relaxed than he was final yr. All people would have been as nervous as might be final season, however he was rather more relaxed this season.”
Bronny’s G League stint noticed him common 21.9 factors on a 44/38/82 cut up, together with 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals in 11 video games.
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