Bronny James\u2019 sophomore year in the pros is off to a rather chilly start.<\/p>\n
LeBron James\u2019 son shot 1-for-12, including 1-for-8 from 3, and tallied eight points in the Lakers\u2019 103-81 loss to the Suns in their preseason opener Friday night.<\/p>\n
Bronny finished with a minus-12 rating in 24 minutes, while adding five rebounds and two assists.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like they were pretty good shots there,\u201d Bronny said<\/a>. \u201cWasn\u2019t rushed, wasn\u2019t forcing anything. Didn\u2019t have my legs under me as much as I wanted to, so a lot of them were short, but most of them were on line and I felt like I could have made those. I think I took some good shots.\u201d<\/p>\n Bronny, who turns 21 on Monday, is preparing for his second season in the NBA after a lackluster first campaign.<\/p>\n Bronny James during Friday\u2019s game. AP<\/p>\n Some questioned his NBA readiness after one lackluster year at USC, which included him recovering from cardiac arrest, yet the Lakers selected him in the second round with the No. 55 pick.<\/p>\n The father-son duo made history by playing together in the Laker\u2019s season opener against the Timberwolves last Oct. 22, but he otherwise had a forgettable season.<\/p>\n Bronny James on defense during the loss to the Suns. Getty Images<\/p>\n Bronny averaged 2.3 points on 31.3 percent shooting, including 28.1 percent from deep, while adding 0.8 assists and 0.7 rebounds in 6.7 minutes across 27 games.<\/p>\n He played much better for the team\u2019s G League squad, tallying 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Both the player and the team surely hope he can provide more meaningful contributions as a reserve this year in what could be his father\u2019s last season in the NBA.<\/p>\n Lakers coach JJ Redick said Bronny will need to be an \u201cimpact defender\u201d to help the Lakers this year.<\/p>\n Lakers coach JJ Redick stands behind Bronny James on Friday. AP<\/p>\n Bronny (l) and LeBron (r). NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n