Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) waits for his team to exit Moda Center after the Lakers were defeated by Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Lakers HC JJ Redick grades Bronny James' rookie season

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 6:57 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick offered his thoughts on Bronny James as the much-discussed rookie finished off his first NBA season on Sunday.

Redick gave James his first career start in Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland. The game was meaningless for the Lakers, who came in having already locked up the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Before the game, Redick was asked to grade James’ rookie season, and the coach’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“I give him an A+,” Redick said. “How he has personally handled a lot of attention, good and bad, he doesn’t ever break character. He’s the same guy every day and he doesn’t allow the good attention to get to him. He doesn’t allow the bad attention to get to him and he just continues to work.

“I told him I’m very high on him long-term being a part of our rotation.”

JJ Redick said he'd give Bronny James an A+ for how he's handled his rookie season, explaining why below.

Bronny's making his first NBA start in the Lakers' regular-season finale today at Portland: https://t.co/MyFQWVtHtN pic.twitter.com/syWV0Q7t9H
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) April 13, 2025

James played 38 minutes in the season-ending loss, scoring four points on 2-of-10 shooting. He did contribute six assists and four steals.

Obviously, Redick sees much more of James’ work than the general public does. That leaves some who continue to criticize him and accuse the Lakers of nepotism for drafting him and keeping him around the roster. James has said he is aware of the criticism, even as he tries not to let it impact him.

Redick does not necessarily have to be some complimentary of James. Clearly, the rookie was not actually detrimental to the Lakers this season, nor was he a distraction. It remains to be seen if he can become an NBA rotation player, but to his credit, he was not a problem for a team that is headed to the playoffs as a legitimate contender.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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