Bronny James was introduced to the media on Tuesday and his new coach JJ Redick says nothing was given to him, rather he EARNED his spot with the Lakers.
"Rob [Pelinka] and I did not give Bronny anything. He's earned this through hard work."
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 2, 2024
Lakers coach J.J. Redick on the team drafting Bronny James in the 2nd round. pic.twitter.com/2Z5cBMBtKJ
Matt Barnes of All The Smoke joined The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Wednesday to talk about Bronny joining the Lakers.
Reports came out on Wednesday that Bronny’s rookie deal with the Lakers is for four years and $7.9 million. With that in mind, Amin wants to know how that is going to be received by Bronny’s opponents on the court.
“It’s going to be tough sledding for a while,” Matt says. “But I think the overall situation is incredible.”
Matt says as a father with sons he would have given anything to have been able to play on the court in the NBA with his sons. So Matt doesn’t care about what anyone says about how Bronny got to the Lakers he loves that fact that he’s there and that he’s getting an opportunity to play with his dad. But Matt says now it’s on Bronny — he’s got the contract, he’s got the security, he’s got the money and now it’s on him and his game and what he can do out on the floor to produce. Matt does think if Bronny sticks to what he’s been doing this summer he’s going to have an opportunity to develop each year and Matt thinks by year 3 or year 4 he’s got a chance to be a solid contributor in the league, with the Lakers or elsewhere.
Matt says obviously there will be fans who wrap their arms around Bronny and embrace him, but being in this game — media or sport itself — the hate will be louder than the love. Matt says he thinks there will be a lot of people who will be taking shots and disrespecting Bronny and his game. Unfortunately, that comes with the territory these days, but Matt says he anticipates that Bronny will do a great job — as his dad does — of blocking out the noise and understanding that he has an amazing opportunity. His dad may have helped put Bronny in this position, but now it’s on him to improve and Matt thinks he has the work ethic of his father and a high basketball IQ. So it will be tough for Bronny for a little while, at least until he gets out there and proves himself.
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