Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick suggested he potentially made the wrong decision to play Bronny James in their 118-104 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers, having made it unnecessarily harder for the rookie. (More Sports News)
James went 0-for-5 and had three turnovers in 15 minutes on the court after he was called into the team, having been with the South Bay Lakers – the LA Lakers' G League affiliate.
It was the 20-year-old's his first meaningful period on the court since he played alongside his dad LeBron in the Lakers' opening game, as they became the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.
Redick threw him in during the first quarter, with Los Angeles 17-9 up on Philadelphia, but he struggled from the off.
"Maybe, [I] put him in a tough spot," the coach said. "Flying up yesterday, nationally televised game in Philly and all that stuff. He didn't play well, but he's been playing great in the stay-ready games, and he's been playing great in the G [League]."
"[I] just felt like on a back-to-back, just him giving us energy, I think, was the goal.바카라 웹사이트I have confidence in him, but obviously didn't provide that at a high level."
He was attacked defensively by Tyrese Maxey, while he also gave the ball away with a bad pass to Anthony Davis.
The call to play for the Lakers came just days after scoring a season-high 31 points for South Bay in the G League.
James conceded바카라 웹사이트it caught him off guard, but바카라 웹사이트acknowledged the development and growth he has experienced while playing at the higher level.
"He's a fast guard," he said of Maxey. "[He has an] amazing touch, he can바카라 웹사이트shoot it. I was trying to stand my ground,바카라 웹사이트just trying to play as hard as I can, and bring as much energy as I can. That's all.
"[The call to play]바카라 웹사이트just came out of nowhere, so I was always trying to stay ready to play and always keeping my mind right.
"I feel like I'm a whole lot more prepared now. Again, just coming out and staying ready after the G League stint and the season being down the road a little bit more, just staying ready and coming in, playing smart."
His father LeBron, meanwhile, was confident바카라 웹사이트his son would continue to develop with more opportunities that come his way.
"Obviously, it's his first extensive minutes with us," he said.바카라 웹사이트"We had that first game where it was just a moment,바카라 웹사이트and that was a great moment.
"But tonight was his first opportunity to be with the big guys, be with the big club, and he's going to continue to use that and get better and better."
