Bronny James’ rookie season as a pro has been a learning experience. As James begins the process of going back and forth from the NBA’s Lakers to the G League Lakers, a former NBA star has identified the biggest issue limiting the rookie’s production.
Retired three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas is very familiar with James. During a recent episode of his “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Arenas broke down James’ performance up to this point and offered a solution that could lead to more production.
Here is what Arenas said about James’ play.
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Gilbert Arenas breaks down biggest problem for Lakers’ Bronny James
While James’ NBA production should be taken with a grain of salt, his NBA G League debut is worth reading into. In a win over the Salt Lake City Stars, James saw 31 minutes of action, scoring six points (on 2-of-9 shooting), three rebounds, four assists and five turnovers.
To Arenas, the fix lies in the approach.
“The problem with Bronny’s game is he’s not aggressive,” Arenas said. “And when you’re not looking to score, it becomes a problem.
“When you’re looking to make passes, you miss everything,” Arenas continued. “If you just be ultra-aggressive, like ‘I’m looking to score, you stop me, then I make the pass.’ But if you’re sitting here trying to make a pass and the rim’s right here, it becomes a harder game.”
“[Bronny’s] game is passive… It’s this awkward thing when he is supposed to shoot it he passes, when he is supposed to pass he shoots.”
Gilbert Arenas examines why Bronny James’ game isn’t working in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/33craZaO89
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) November 11, 2024
MORE BRONNY JAMES: G League game log | What G League assignment means | How contract impacts rookie season
Arenas cited a few of his peers — Jason Kidd and Steve Nash — as natural passers who were aggressive in their instinct to put pressure on opposing defenses with their penetration.
“How they look at the game is still an aggressive look,” Arenas said of Kidd and Nash. “[James’] game is passive all the way around. Everything is secondary to him and it’s just this awkward thing — when he’s supposed to shoot it, he passes. When he’s supposed to pass it, he shoots it.
James’ game has not necessarily ever been predicated on a level of offensive aggressiveness. As a high school senior, James averaged 11.8 shot attempts per game, according to his stats on MaxPreps.
While he will be expected to take on a connective role in limited NBA minutes, James’ heavy G League workload will force him to be more assertive in finding his spots to learn what type of role he can grow into during his professional career.
It’s early, but a tangible goal for James to work toward will allow him to have a successful first season with the Lakers organization.
