JJ Redick Defends Bronny James’ Preseason Struggles, Cites Teammates
Lakers coach suggests the caliber of players Bronny James is on the court with is impacting his performance.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has offered a defense for Bronny James' uneven performance in the team's preseason games, pointing to the supporting cast as a factor.
James, 22, has averaged 2.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 17.5 minutes per game through four preseason contests. In the Lakers' recent matchup against the Warriors, he went scoreless with two field-goal attempts, one rebound, and four turnovers in 11 minutes.
When asked about James' confidence and aggression during the preseason, Redick acknowledged that James had not played well in the games but stated he had performed well in practices. Redick elaborated that James has often played with "two-way guys" and, in the case of the Warriors game, with a player who had only been with the team for three days. "Some of it is the group he’s with; I think that is not necessarily setting him up for success," Redick said, as reported by the New York Post.
Redick's comments have drawn attention on social media, with some interpreting them as an attempt to excuse James' performance by blaming his teammates. While the composition of the on-court unit can influence a player's statistics and effectiveness, observers noted that James has appeared to struggle regardless of his playing partners during the preseason.