How Bronny James’ mentality in the G League helped his NBA tenure

The Los Angeles Lakers are just a few weeks away from the playoffs and have won nine of their last 10 games, including a 137-130 win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Nearly everyone on the team is playing at a high level, led undoubtedly by Luka Doncic, who has averaged close to 40 points in his last 10 contests, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

One player who is benefiting from the Lakers’ surge is Bronny James. He may not be able to perform in big numbers like his teammates, but his confidence in his game has increased.

The young James said his stint with the South Bay Lakers in the G League has been a big factor continual improvementAs the OC Register’s Benjamin Royer reports.

“I like to go out there and play my game and be as aggressive as I can, so that when I get these minutes here, I’m comfortable playing with Luka, Braun, AR and everybody else,” the 21-year-old guard said.

In 12 games with South Bay, he averaged 15.3 points on 54.6% shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals.

Lakers coach JJ Redick will be the first to point out that young James, who is on a two-way contract, has been playing remarkably well recently.

“He has a lot of confidence right now,” Redick said in a video posted by Royer.

“He’s had a great season in South Bay. He’s been the best player every time in our stay-ready games the last three or four weeks. There’s a bounce in his step right now. It comes from that confidence.”

The second-year playmaker, whose athleticism and defensive skills also earned praise from Redick, contributed four points, one rebound, one assist, two steals and one block in 13 minutes off the bench against the Pacers.


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“Carlos Soler 3.0” – Player explains how he helped West Ham develop the best version of themselves

Real Sociedad’s Carlos Soler says West Ham United helped him improve his game.

The Spain international is a product of Valencia’s academy and has spent six years with their first team.

He left the Mestalla for Paris Saint-Germain in September 2022 and played 1,530 minutes in 35 matches in his first season. In his second season, PSG appointed Luis Enrique.

The former West Ham player played under his compatriot for the national team, but did not enjoy regular minutes under Enrique during the 2023/24 season. Therefore, PSG sent him on loan to the Premier League team in August 2024.

Julen Lopetegui was the manager at West Ham at the time and Soler played 18 matches under his command. The Hammers parted ways with him in January 2025 and appointed Graham Potter as his successor.

Soler scored one goal and provided one assist in 1,487 minutes in 33 matches for West Ham. Below are his statistics per game in the Premier League.

premier league statistics
Big chances created per season6
key passes0.2
tackle0.5
interception0.3
possession won [final third]0,2
ball retrieval2.1

In December 2024, the 29-year-old said he was happy And wanted to remain at West Ham. However, he expressed doubt in March 2025, and the English club ultimately decided against making his stay permanent.

Earlier this month, Soler revealed that his time at West Ham was not successful as it coincided with one of his worst seasons.

“My role at PSG and at West Ham was secondary. I was there for only one season, and it coincided with one of the club’s worst seasons,” He Said.

Differing opinions on West Ham spell

Friday edition of As Has published an interview with Carlos Soler. He gives a different perspective on how his time with West Ham helped him develop his game.

The Spaniard has scored four goals and provided two assists in 29 appearances so far for Real Sociedad. AS asked if they were talking to the same Carlos of Valencia in terms of form? And this is where he talks about West Ham.

“No, because Valencia’s Soler was younger, less mature and less experienced. It is true that at my age, I was already one of the captains of the team. I had been an important player for several seasons,” He said.

“I made the move to Paris. I stayed there for two years, then I moved to London and that helped me develop as a player. Maybe not in terms of playing time. This wasn’t what I expected when I went to Paris or London, but by all means. Leaving the house, being alone with your partner, having different experiences. Being in other leagues, in other locker rooms has helped me a lot.

“This version, I don’t know what to call it, ‘Carlos Soler 3.0’, has nothing to do with the first one at Valencia. I understand the comparisons in terms of statistics, minutes played, etc., but I honestly believe that the current version is a better version.”

Solar contracts, prices and agent information

The Spaniard has signed a contract until 2029, with the option of a further year with the La Liga side and agency AS1 manages his future.

Although Soler’s playing time has improved, his evaluation has not. transfermarket He was valued at €20m when he joined West Ham and will drop to €18m in May 2025.

Since joining La Real, it fell to €12m and then to €8m in December.

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The rookie who helped make it to Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs

NEW YORK – The New York Knicks used every possible first-round pick to build their team, putting pressure on Walt Perine and his scouting department to make the most of any remaining opportunities in the draft. On Sunday, Mohamed Diarra, the 51st overall pick in 2025 and the only Knicks rookie, scored 14 points in 14:55 of the game to help defeat the San Antonio Spurs on prime-time television.

New York’s scoring efforts were led by Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson, who have generally played well against the Spurs throughout their Knicks tenures. Karl-Anthony Towns had a huge breakout season with his 14 points, leading New York to 54 points. That was 13 more than San Antonio.

No bench player on either team took more than eight shots or scored more than eight points. Except for Diawara, who attempted 14 shots in roughly the same number of minutes played. 13 of those came from behind the 3-point arc, leading head coach Mike Brown to praise the rookie’s apparently unmatched confidence.

Brown told media members after the Knicks’ win, “The first thing I would say is Mo is not afraid. I’ve told you guys this before, for a young guy, I’ve thrown him in games, in starts, on national TV.” “He doesn’t even take a look. He can start three games in a row, then he can’t start the fourth game. He doesn’t take a look. He’s the most confident young guy I’ve been around. And he’s got a chance to become — not good, really good.”

It looks like Diarra has the edge over Jeremy Sochan for a playoff spot

December 29, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diarra (51) plays against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagen Images
Stephen Lew-Imagen Images

Former Spur Jeremy Sochan played just two minutes against his old team. Brown told reporters when he signed that efforts to integrate and evaluate the 22-year-old could impact Diarra’s playing time. The coach was staying true to his methodical approach and trying to understand his options ahead of the most lucrative games of the year.

In recent games, including the Knicks’ last three games, Diawara has come off the bench earlier than expected and played more of a role. Asked by ClutchPoints about trends, Brown said players need to prepare for whatever opportunities they get amid the adjustment.

“What you said is true,” Brown told ClutchPoints. “He and Jeremy are 9th and 10th, 10th and 9th right now. They both just have to prepare themselves because their number could be called at any time.”

The Browns are in no rush to finalize their playoff rotation. He will explore as many options as possible before the probability of error decreases. But if Diarra continues to play with the same aggression and composure on both ends of the ball, Brown’s decision may already have been made for him.


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