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Bronny, 19, was selected 55th overall at last
week's NBA Draft after one season at the University of Southern
California (USC) and will now team up with his dad, the league's
all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion.
"For sure there's an amplified amount of pressure," Bronny said
at his introductory press conference on Tuesday ahead of his
first practice with the team.
"I've already seen it on social media and the Internet, talk
about how I might not deserve an opportunity.
"But I've been dealing with stuff like this my whole life so
it's nothing different. It's more amplified for sure, but I'll
get through it."
He said he was eager to write his own story and prove he is more
than just the eldest son of one of the greatest players ever.
"I'm just living by the days and trying not to care about what
other people think about me because there are a lot of people
who have something to say," he said.
"I'm just taking it by the day and staying sane while doing it."
Bronny thanked new Lakers head coach JJ Redick and general
manager Rob Pelinka for "everything they have given to me," but
Redick pushed back on that remark.
"Rob and I did not give Bronny anything. Bronny has earned this
through hard work," he said as LeBron looked on attentively.
Redick said Bronny, whose season at USC was cut short because of
a cardiac arrest he suffered last summer, has huge potential for
growth.
"His base level of feel, athleticism, point of attack,
defending, shooting, passing - there's a lot to like about his
game," he said.
"As we build out our player development program holistically,
he's going to have a great opportunity to become an excellent
NBA player."
Fans could get their first look at Bronny in action for the
Lakers when California Classic Summer League action kicks off on
Saturday with a game against the Sacramento Kings in San
Francisco.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Toby
Davis) [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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