NBA icon LeBron James revealed that he believes his son Bronny James deserves minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers during this postseason run. The Lakers will already have a shortened roster due to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missing time. Bronny has played the most minutes of his NBA career over the past few weeks and got to share the court with his father.
LeBron said the following when asked about Bronny potentially entering the playoff rotation:
“The fact that he’s put himself in the position to get his number called for a postseason game is pretty remarkable and pretty cool, given the circumstances that he’s been through the last couple years. He earned and he deserved, he’ll be ready.”
A Father’s Pride
The comment from James confirmed his pride in Bronny working his way into having a chance to even get postseason minutes. Bronny making the playoff rotation of a top four seed seemed impossible to believe not that long ago.
LeBron referenced Bronny overcoming difficult circumstances of his heart issues slowing down his progression from college to the NBA level. The first-round series against the Houston Rockets will require the Lakers to get help from expected names, and Bronny could very well be one of those names to step up.
Will Bronny James Get Playoff Minutes?
Head coach JJ Redick made it clear that everyone on the Lakers roster should be ready to play. Doncic and Reaves are expected to miss most to all of the series, so the Lakers will have to play more names in the guard position.
Marcus Smart returning from injury will make it less likely that Bronny easily gets minutes with the second team. The Lakers will likely have LeBron running the offense, with Smart and Luke Kennard playing most of the minutes from the guard position.
Bronny will need one or two players to struggle for his number to get called in competitive playoff games. The Rockets also lack guard play, so Houston and Los Angeles could both opt to play bigger lineups. Bronny needs other things to work in his favor to get playing time and must deliver positively to keep his minutes.
The Numbers: Bronny’s Recent Stretch
Bronny has been playing the most consistent minutes of his young career. Over the five games since Doncic and Reaves were injured, he has averaged 6.6 points, two assists, and a steal while shooting 7-for-17 from three-point range. He has played in 10 consecutive games, the longest stretch of his NBA career.
The 21-year-old guard has shown flashes of the two-way potential that made him a highly touted prospect. His defense has been steady, and his three-point shooting has improved as he has gained confidence.
LeBron Clearly Wants To Play With Bronny In Postseason
LeBron’s quote claiming Bronny deserves and earned his time on the court in the biggest games of the season shows how much he wants to play with his son. Last season featured James playing it safe and not talking up Bronny too much.
However, the past few weeks of solid play for Bronny makes LeBron believe that they can accomplish good things together in the playoffs. LeBron also made sure to say that Bronny will be ready when his time comes in the first-round series.
The Bigger Picture: A Historic Moment
If Bronny steps on the court during the playoffs, it will be another historic first for the James family. They already became the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA. Now, they have a chance to become the first father-son duo to share the court in the postseason.
For LeBron, who has achieved everything in the game, this would be another unforgettable milestone.
The Challenge Ahead
The Lakers will need Bronny and anyone else getting playing time to step up against a Rockets team led by All-Stars Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. LeBron is certainly excited about the playoffs with his role running the offense again and Bronny potentially sharing playing time with him for the first time in the postseason.
The Lakers are massive underdogs. The Rockets are deeper and healthier. But the playoffs are about moments, and this could be a moment for the James family.
The Verdict: Ready When Called
LeBron believes Bronny has earned his opportunity. He believes his son will be ready when his number is called.
Now, it is up to the coaching staff and the flow of the series to determine whether that moment arrives.
Whether Bronny plays five minutes or fifteen, whether he scores or doesn’t, the fact that he has put himself in this position is remarkable.
And as LeBron said, that is something to be proud of.
The playoffs start Saturday. Bronny James will be waiting. And if his number is called, he will be ready.