Bronny James on his main focus this offseason
He didn't play in the Los Angeles Lakers' first game of the California Classic on Saturday, but he is expected to participate at some point, and summer league play should give a glimpse into what type of player he will be this coming season.
He told reporters that he is focusing on the defensive end of the court and on becoming a difference-maker in that department.
'It's definitely made me think about being more aggressive on that end of the floor, but I can't lose that defensive drive that will get me on the floor because there's gonna be guys that can score 15, 20 a game,' the younger James said. 'I'm most likely not going to be that guy right now. To get myself on the floor, I've got to be a defensive menace. That's my main focus, getting conditioned this year. It's been shown that I know how to score the ball a little bit, I'm staying true to that, but also focusing on the defensive end.'
While the 20-year-old could become a spark plug on the offensive end and has shown signs of doing just that, he has been lauded over the last couple years for his defense, which could be more developed than his offensive game at this point.
With his ample athleticism and defensive instincts, perhaps he could carve out a reputation as someone who makes a living on that end of the floor.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Black America Web
26 minutes ago
- Black America Web
Chris Paul Says 2025-26 NBA Season Is Likely To Be His Last
Source: David Berding / Getty During an interview with Jemele Hill, future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul said that the upcoming season will likely be his last. After 20 remarkable years on the court, Paul's announcement marks the twilight of a career defined by excellence, leadership, and an unrelenting drive for greatness. RELATED: Michelle Obama And Chris Paul Celebrate National Black Voter Day [Watch] RELATED: Michael Jordan Joins NBC's NBA Coverage as 'Special Contributor' Paul told Hill, 'At the most, a year, you know, I just finished my 20th season, which is a blessing in itself.' Paul's career began in 2005 when the New Orleans Hornets selected him as the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft out of Wake Forest University. Paul quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Over two decades, he graced the courts for an array of teams, including the Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and recently, the San Antonio Spurs. Last season, Paul appeared in all 82 games for the Spurs, averaging 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists on 43 percent shooting from the field. Paul's career is decorated with achievements that reflect his extraordinary talent and dedication to the sport. Paul's accolades include 12 NBA All-Star appearances, 11-time All-NBA Team and 9 NBA All-Defensive Team selections. He is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist, having represented Team USA in 2008 and 2012. His statistics tell the story of a legendary career. Paul has amassed over 21,000 points, more than 11,500 assists, and nearly 2,500 steals—stats that rank him third in all-time assists and fourth in steals in NBA history. His ability to control the pace of the game, deliver pinpoint passes, and command respect from his peers has left an indelible mark on basketball. Paul's influence extends beyond the stats sheet. Known for his leadership, he turned each team he joined into playoff contenders and mentored younger teammates with unwavering dedication. Paul is currently a free agent. SEE ALSO Chris Paul Says 2025-26 NBA Season Is Likely To Be His Last was originally published on
New York Times
32 minutes ago
- New York Times
Knicks to sign Guerschon Yabusele
The Warriors couldn't afford to offer center Kevon Looney more than the veteran's minimum without eating into their resources for upgrades. So they did what they usually do — send Looney out into a bear market to see if he could get a better offer. Usually, he couldn't and came back to the Warriors. The $8 million he made last season was the highest salary of his career. Staying with the Warriors would have meant a nearly $5 million pay cut. But for the first time in his career, the market valued him more than the Warriors. Looney got paid. An era has ended. The Warriors will have to find a new backbone. He saw this possibility nearly seven weeks ago, after Game 5 in the Western Conference semifinals, when he last took off his Warriors jersey. Golden State's season ended with an unceremonious thud, a gentleman's sweep at the hands of Minnesota, courtesy of a most valuable strained hamstring. In the visiting locker room after the game, frustration noticeably absent from his face, Looney linked on his necklace and rested the gold medallion over the MSFIT letters across his shirt. He then tied the wrap around his locks, gathered his things and left the locker room. He knew it could have been his last game with the Warriors. Yet no angst could be found. Instead, Looney greeted the uncertainty like an old friend. He smiled as he walked into an unknown future. 'Same s—, different summer,' Looney said in May. 'I don't know. I could be back. But I don't know. I never know after the last game. I've packed all my s— four times.' No. 5 was the one. Read the rest of my column on the significance of Looney's departure.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lakers officially sign Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes
On Sunday, the NBA's annual moratorium on player transactions ended, and teams were able to officially execute trades and sign free agents. The Los Angeles Lakers got center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia to agree to sign with them in recent days, and on Sunday, both of them officially signed their contracts. Los Angeles also re-signed center Jaxson Hayes. Advertisement The team officially announced all three signings on its X (formerly known as Twitter) account. General manager Rob Pelinka also issued brief statements on the acquisitions of Ayton and LaRavia, two players who have the ability to raise the team's ceiling this coming season. Ayton has career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds a game in seven NBA seasons. While his defense has left a lot to be desired, he should give the Lakers a legitimate rim-running lob threat who can thrive alongside Luka Doncic. He should also help them improve their defensive rebounding, which has been one of their biggest weaknesses over the last couple of seasons. Advertisement LaRavia, a 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward, made 42.3% of his 3-point attempts this past season and has the ability to be disruptive defensively. He plays with a high motor and has the potential to be a glue guy for L.A. Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes a game this past season. After being the Lakers' starting center following the Anthony Davis-Doncic trade on Feb. 1, Hayes will now be their backup center behind Ayton. The team isn't necessarily done shaping its roster for the 2025-26 season. Reportedly, people around the league expect it to sign De'Anthony Melton, a 3-and-D guard, and it is also reportedly interested in guard Ryan Rollins. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers officially sign Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes
