In a candid interview with media, Bronny James has revealed the significant pressure he faced during his inaugural NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 20-year-old, who made history alongside his father LeBron as the first father-son duo to play in the league, acknowledged that expectations weighed heavily on his performance.
'I was under a lot of pressure,' Bronny admitted. 'It was getting to me a little bit.' Selected as the Lakers' second pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the USC Trojans graduate struggled to make his mark at the highest level, averaging just 6.7 minutes, 2.3 points, and 1.7 rebounds per game across 23 appearances.
Despite efforts from LeBron and the team to shield the young player, Bronny eventually found solace in focusing on development rather than criticism. 'Working is a distraction from everything. I love just coming into the gym and working and talking to my coaches and watching film. All of the stuff that can help me get better every day,' he explained.
Bronny's challenging start led to his assignment to the G League, where he demonstrated considerable potential with the South Bay Lakers. His performance improved dramatically, recording averages of 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game—numbers that Statbet analysts identify as significantly above average for G League rookies with NBA potential.
With one year of professional experience under his belt, the question remains whether Bronny can translate his G League success to the NBA stage in the upcoming 2025/26 season. His development comes at a crucial time for the Lakers, who suffered a disappointing first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 4-1 series loss.
Following the organization's reported trade for Luka Doncic at the expense of Anthony Davis, the Lakers appear to be restructuring their roster with an eye toward addressing their weakness at center. As Bronny enters his sophomore season with a refreshed mindset, his progression could be vital to the team's quest for their first championship since 2020.
