The Los Angeles Lakers were dominated by the Golden State Warriors on the second night of a back-to-back, where Bronny James struggled as the starting point guard. LA rested Luka Doncic and were without Austin Reaves and Collin Sexton for the second straight night. That left Bronny as the top point guard option available, but it didn’t go well.
Fans knew things were going to be problematic when head coach JJ Redick had to call a timeout 52 seconds into the game. Bronny had already fouled Brandin Podziemski shooting a 3-pointer and struggled to get the offense rolling on two possessions. Things didn’t get much better from there. Bronny finished with four points, five assists, and three turnovers in 21 minutes of action, but it was much worse when the starters were on the floor.
James thinks he’s a point guard, and the Lakers are mistakenly developing him as one. Bronny showed the world exactly why he isn’t a lead guard in Tuesday’s disastrous preseason loss to the Warriors.
Bronny James had issues running the offense
The instant struggles were a harbinger for the night. Bronny had more turnovers than assists in the first half when the Warriors’ starters were playing. Things went slightly better in the second 24 minutes, but James shot two of five from the field and had three turnovers in 21 minutes. He had twice as many fouls as field goals made in this one.
James played the first six minutes of the game as the point guard against Golden State’s starters. At the end of it, the Lakers were down 16 points and had only scored 13. Bronny had two points, one assist, one turnover, and one personal foul. It felt like the game was already over by the time James returned to the floor on his 22nd birthday.
James played most of his minutes with Quentin Grimes, and Los Angeles had more success in the second quarter when the guards flopped roles. Grimes had 12 points, three turnovers, and three dimes on the night. It was a night fans would like to forget, but it reminded everyone just how important Doncic and Reaves are this season.
Bronny James struggles defending on the ball
The Lakers opened the game with Grimes guarding Stephen Curry and James on Podziemski. Podz had six points in the first five minutes on his way to a 16-point night. Coach Redick had to switch up the matchups because Podz was cooking Bronny.
James showed defensive flashes in the preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings, but the issues returned against Golden State. He got caught ball-watching multiple times and struggled mightily defending on the ball.
Bronny is an undersized guard, but he needs to be locked in on the scheme and play with max effort if he wants to crack the rotation. Coach Redick started with Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle in the preseason opener. He is clearly focusing on defense. Bronny needs to be better on this end if he wants to play.
Point guards usually guard the opposing lead ball-handler or the two-guard. Bronny got the easier matchup on Tuesday night and was still getting cooked by Podz.
Lakers should develop Bronny James as a 3-and-D role player
James is not a point guard. He can’t run the offense and must be hidden on defense. The 22-year-old keeps improving and has learned a trait that endears him to the coaching staff from LeBron James. The Lakers clearly have Bronny ahead of Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht in the race to stay on the roster.
LA needs to make a change to maximize James. He shot 38.6 percent from 3-point range last season. The 6’2 guard missed his only two outside attempts on Tuesday night, but he is a plus shooter. The Lakers need to use him as a spot-up option. It allows him to play in any lineup, including when Doncic and Reaves are on the floor.
The Lakers have plenty of shot creation. Beyond Luka and AR, they added multiple players who can dribble, pass, and shoot this summer. They don’t need point Bronny. Los Angeles has to get him off the ball so he can just make open shots.
James must improve his defense. He needs to be able to guard on the ball and use his IQ when he’s off it. Bronny’s defense was a problem in this preseason start. The Warriors had 81 points at halftime with James spending 12 minutes on the floor. He must be better if he wants to play for JJ Redick and the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers got plenty of evidence that Bronny James is not a point guard in his preseason start against the rival Golden State Warriors. He struggled to run the offense and picked up most of his assists off LA getting the blender going. James didn’t look like Luka or even TJ McConnell. He is not a point guard. The sooner the Lakers figure that out, the better.
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