Bronny James impresses JJ Redick: “He changed the game on defense”
You don’t need big numbers to stand out – Bronny James has won over JJ Redick with his defense, energy, and smart decisions in key moments
The Lakers are dealing with a rough start to the season, marked by numerous injuries, especially among the guards. Because of that, an unexpected opportunity has opened up for Bronny James: with shorter rotations, JJ Redick is giving him real minutes – not just garbage time.
In the 130–120 win over Miami, Bronny likely delivered the best performance of his young NBA career so far. He didn’t shine through stats, but through defensive impact. Redick made it clear:
He was physical, disrupted passing lanes, handled the ball well, and in the fourth quarter played a key role in holding off the Heat’s comeback attempt
JJ Redick
Offensively, he scored only once – but at the right time: cuts, catches, drives to the paint, and dunks. He’s not putting up “Instagram-worthy” numbers, but he’s making the right plays and showing the kind of intensity every coach values.
Now, with Gabe Vincent sidelined due to an ankle injury, Redick seems to have entrusted him with the role of primary backup guard. But perhaps the most interesting part is that Redick didn’t give him a compliment – he gave him a challenge: to keep it up.