Lakers
JJ Redick likes some of what he’s seen from Bronny James in practice. The preseason games have been another matter.
“I don’t think he’s played well in the four preseason games, but he’s had good practices,” Redick said Wednesday, via Andrew Wright of Yardbarker. “Some of it is just rhythm, some of it is who he’s playing with. He’s played a lot of minutes in the second half with our two-way guys.”
James has totaled 11 points and 12 turnovers while shooting 26.6 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from beyond the arc. Those numbers aren’t making much of an argument for a larger role.
There have been better moments as a distributor, including two games with at least five assists. But the overall production suggests he still needs consistent playing time to work through mistakes and develop some offensive rhythm.
That makes the G League a reasonable option. Sitting near the end of the Lakers’ bench won’t provide many opportunities to improve, especially once the regular rotation takes over.
James is 22. There’s time to develop. The question is where he’ll get the minutes to do it.
Warriors
Kristaps Porzingis says he’s improving. When that translates into a return to basketball remains uncertain.
The Warriors big man offered an update Wednesday on the health issues that have kept him out of training camp and preseason, saying he continues to work with doctors and specialists.
“Honestly, I’m getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon,” Porzingis wrote, as relayed by Wright of Yardbarker.
“It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it.”
Porzingis remains out indefinitely. His message offered encouragement without a timetable, and there’s little value in guessing at one.
Golden State acquired him from Atlanta last season and received useful production when he played: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 15 appearances. The Warriors subsequently signed him to a two-year, $40 million extension.
That’s a meaningful investment in a player who can help their frontcourt considerably. First, he needs to get healthy enough to do it.
Bulls
The Bulls turned Milwaukee’s mistakes into a busy night in the open floor. They also left coach Tiago Splitter plenty to discuss despite a 125-104 win.
Chicago scored 41 points off 29 Bucks turnovers Wednesday, adding 20 fastbreak points and finishing with 35 assists. Josh Giddey supplied nine of those assists, while Matas Buzelis led the Bulls with 19 points and five 3-pointers.
As Elias Schuster of Bulls On SI detailed, the passing and movement fit what Splitter wants from a group that will need to create offense collectively.
Noa Essengue helped his case for minutes with active defense and early production. Norman Powell and Jalen Smith combined for 21 first-half points as Chicago built a 62-39 lead.
The qualifications? Milwaukee was missing eight players, including Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Myles Turner, and still outrebounded Chicago 47-40. The Bucks also attempted 35 free throws.
The Bulls took advantage of a depleted opponent. Rebounding and defending without fouling will require more attention before they face the full-strength versions.
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