Bronny James says after talking to head coach Redick: He s focusing on growing without the ball

According to US sports media F/W analyst Vishwesha Kumar, Browne does not think it will be easy for him to return to the G League, but he does not regard this as a setback. After being assigned to the South Bay Lakers, the 21-year-old spoke to head coach Redick about the conversations that influenced his decision. This message is not about minutes or demotion. It's about evolution. "Yeah, I mean, I'm trying to improve myself without the ball right now. I talked to him, like you said, all the ball handlers on the home team and stuff like that. So I've learned to be more effective without the ball and keep a 0.5 mentality. So I'm trying to improve that, but it takes some guarding at the guard position. So I'm just trying to produce more."

Browne said the biggest focus now is learning to play without the ball. On the Lakers' roster, Doncic, Reeves and James all serve as heavy on-ball creators, a skill that has become key to getting real rotation time. That's exactly what Redick wants to see from Bronny. The Lakers don't need another ballhandler. They need someone who can cut, move, defend at a high level and make quick decisions. Bronny admitted he was hesitant in the role earlier this season, most notably in his first start against the Bucks when he missed an open shot while trying to reset the play. Redick wants to eliminate his hesitation once and for all. The G League gave him the freedom to fail, try again, and build confidence without the pressure of "win now."

The difference this time is that Redick did it himself. That he was there in person to watch Bronny and rookie forward Adu Tiero make their G-League debuts speaks volumes about the entire plan. He is not here to support. He was there to make sure Brownie followed instructions. Early signs are encouraging. Bronny scored 15 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds in his first game back. He shot 5-for-10 from the field. He showed more confidence and showed real vitality on the defensive end. He had 3 steals and 1 block. This destructive energy is what Redick believes will get Bronny into the main lineup. His character isn't modeled after Luka or Reeves.

It's designed to be similar to a player like Marcus Smart, where the defender changes possessions by pressing rather than using. Tierro also performed well, scoring 19 points and matching Brownie's energy on the defensive end. The two led South Bay to a 20-point win over Santa Cruz and, more importantly, played the role the Lakers hope to eventually play at the NBA level. None of this guarantees a quick return. Redick looks to maintain consistency and the team is patient with their second-round pick. Developing talent is one of the few ways for top title contenders to stay competitive. If Bronny and Tierro develop into reliable rotation players, it will stabilize the lineup and help the Lakers avoid wasting assets in trades.

Brownie knew the path he was asked to take. He knows the team wants him to develop into a defender, cutter, and connector rather than a full-time playmaker. His success will depend on how quickly he masters his off-ball role. But this time, with clearer direction and a coach invested in his development, he has real direction to follow.