Second-year Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed on Wednesday that Bronny James will be a big part of his team’s rotation in their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
Redick said the Lakers will need solid production from Bronny, given that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been ruled out indefinitely with injuries.
“We’re gonna have to have all hands on deck,” Redick said of playing through injuries.
“I think Bronny’s improved a lot,” he added, while praising the USC alum for improving as a perimeter defender anda three-point shooter.
Lakers Trust Bronny James
“I think we trust him,” Redick said of Bronny. The shooting piece, I’m a believer in, because of how well he shot it the last two years in the G League. He’s improved a ton defensively in terms of his body positioning both on and off ball.”
“We want him to continue to evolve as a disruptive defender as well,” Redick added.
Lakers fans had mixed reactions to Redick’s praise of Bronny.
“I’ll be the first to say it. Bronny is a playoff riser,” wrote one fan.
Another Lakers fan felt the team had no choice but to play Bronny.
“It is incredible to see how Bronny has worked his way into the rotation just in time for the postseason. Redick isn’t just playing him for the narrative he s playing him because the Lakers need depth.”
Bronny James averaged 2.9 points, 1.2 assists and 0.5 rebounds from 42 appearances in the reagular season. He shot a respectable 39% from three.
Lakers Vs. Rockets Playoff Series
Elsewhere, some fans picked up on Redick saying, “I think we trust him,” in reference to Bronny, rather than being more assertive.
“I think we trust him. Way to make a statement,” wrote one fan.
“So you don’t trust him if you have to say “I think” before 🤣”
“If the Lakers are having to trust Bronny… good luck in general,” added another fan.
One Rockets fan thanked Redick for trusting Bronny.
“Gonna have Bronny in shambles with Amen Thompson guarding him….”
“If the Lakers are putting trust in Bronny they are even more cooked than we originally thought. 😂😂,” added one fan.
Game 1 of the Lakers vs. Rockets series will tip off Saturday at 5:30 p.m. local time at Crypto.com arena. The Lakers are expected to start Marcus Smart, Luka Kennard, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton, with Jake LaRavia as the first man off the bench. Jaxson Hayes, Bronny and Nick Smith Jr. will be in the rotation, too.
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