With the Los Angeles Lakers winning 10 of their last 11 games and Luka Doncic's MVP case getting stronger by the game, fans are fully locked in and ready for the playoffs. That being said, Wednesday night in the Lakers' 137-130 win over the Indiana Pacers, fans got a preview of what one of their key pieces for the future could become.
Bronny James played13 minutes, contributing four points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and two blocks while shooting 2-for-4 from the field.
This stat line doesn't jump off the page, and Bronny's unwillingness to shoot 3s in this game definitely caught the attention of some. However, he received some high praise from his teammate and face of the Lakers franchise after the game.
Doncic said: "Definitely a big improvement from last year. I saw him in training camp, he was doing some stuff that I was really impressed with. He did a great job today. Big game for him, that pull-up 2, it was a big bucket. It was one of the most important shots of the game."
These comments from anyone are huge, let alone a top-five player in the league like Luka. Not only did Bronny show improvements in the win over Indiana, but he also displayed elite basketball IQ.
Bronny's biggest tool is something that can't be taught
Concerns about Bronny and his jump shot are real. As an undersized shooting guard, making shots from beyond the arc is the easiest way to earn minutes. However, what will also earn a young player minutes is being gifted with unteachables.
Things like grit and basketball IQ will always help a player earn a role in the NBA, no matter their height, popularity, or other flaws. Look at the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a ton of players who have found a role because of the intangibles they have.
Maybe it's the gift of being LeBron James' son, but either way, Bronny's basketball IQ can't remain underrated, and Luka's comments should serve as a reminder of why. His ability to position himself for rebounds, knowing when to jump passing lanes, and his knowledge of when to make the extra pass, as he did on his one assist that led to Austin Reaves' layup.
The same goes for the jumper Luka mentioned post-game: Bronny hit a hesi-dribble that had his defender lost, leading to a short-range jumper late in the shot clock. He didn't hesitate—he saw the situation and knew that if he tried to pass it off on one of his teammates, it would be like throwing them a grenade with the pin pulled.
Basketball is so situational, and Bronny showed he knows how to process those moments.
Just 60 games into his pro career, Bronny has already shown flashes of something you can’t teach—elite basketball IQ. If his shooting continues to develop, he can be a very impactful contributor for this Lakers team.