LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James is expected to begin splitting time between the Lakers and the team's G League affiliate, even though coach JJ Reddick said those plans could change.
ESPN reported Friday that James will be going between the two teams after the Lakers complete a five-game trip Nov. 6. The South Bay Lakers begin their G League season on Nov. 9 against the Salt Lake City Stars.
“Our plans are always fluid based on real time,” Reddick said Friday before the Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns. "I believe we have two guys dressing today that as of yesterday we’re not dressing out.
“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one. (General manager) Rob (Pelinka) and I have talked about that. LeBron's talked about that.”
Bronny James was the 55th overall pick in the June draft after one season in college at Southern California. Most second-round picks during their rookie seasons spend time in the G League and are on two-way contracts.
Bronny James — who averaged 4.2 points and 16.2 minutes of playing time in six preseason games. — dressed but did not play Friday night in the Lakers' 123-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns. He played 3 minutes Tuesday night in the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers host Sacramento on Saturday before going on the trip. The second game on the trip is to Cleveland on Wednesday. LeBron James, an Akron native, played 11 seasons for the Cavaliers and led them to an NBA championship in 2016. The younger James was also born in Akron in 2004.
The father said during Lakers media day last month that he expected his son to split time between the NBA and the G League.
“Seeing him continue to grow as a basketball player, no matter if it’s here with us or if it’s down with the G League team, and him continuing to get better and better,” he said. “We want to hold him accountable. He’s going to hold us accountable, and if we all do that, we’ll all get better, because we’re all one team. We are a reflection of the South Bay. The South Bay is a reflection of us. ... We’ll continue to grow, stacking days. I know he’s going to do that, because that’s just what he’s about.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Bronny James (9) stand on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton has been coming to Dodger Stadium since he was a kid. Seems like every time he returns, he sends a special souvenir into the outfield seats.
The opener of this Yankees-Dodgers World Series was no exception.
Stanton hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning to put New York ahead, his latest big drive for a New York team chasing its 28th title. It wasn't enough in a 6-3, 10-inning thriller of a loss to Los Angeles on Friday night that Freddie Freeman finished with a two-out, walk-off grand slam.
“You never want that ending,” Stanton said long after the game in a nearly empty Yankees clubhouse. “You got to win four anyways. No one said it's going to be easy."
Maligned by Yankees fans for much of his time in the Bronx, Stanton homered for his fourth straight postseason game, a 116.6 mph shot off a Jack Flaherty knuckle-curve at the knees that was the hardest-hit ball in the World Series since MLB started tracking in 2015.
His six homers and 13 RBIs both top the Yankees in the postseason, and his 17 career postseason homers in 135 at-bats are among the top ratios in baseball history. He is the only player to twice homer in four straight postseason games.
“He’s a killer,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said earlier this month. “I just admire how well he’s able to focus in these big moments and just go to a different place mentally.”
Throughout October, Stanton's determination has been evident.
“This ain’t the trophy I want," he said after getting the AL Championship Series MVP Award on Saturday night. “I want the next one.”
Born in Panorama City, California, and raised about 15 miles north of Dodger Stadium in the Tujanga neighborhood of Los Angeles, Stanton used to watch games from the pavilion seats, known elsewhere as the bleachers.
“Wherever I could get a ticket. I think they were between $5 and $7 at some point. I’m sure they weren’t that tonight," Stanton said. "All over left and right and sometimes a little better as I got older and had more connections."
He hit a tying 457-foot home run into the pavilion off the Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin in the 2022 All-Star Game and has 10 homers in 25 regular-season games at Chavez Ravine — the most impressive a 475-foot drive for Miami in May 2015. Stanton is among just five players to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, joined by Willie Stargell (twice), Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire and Fernando Tatis Jr.
“Had a lot of times to know the flight of the ball here over the years,” Stanton said.
Given a then-record $325 million, 13-year contract by the Marlins, Stanton had 59 homers and 132 RBIs in 2017, winning the NL MVP award. His first season in the Bronx was a success with 38 homers and 100 RBIs but he missed 266 of 708 games over the next five seasons because of a series of injuries that included strains of right biceps, right knee, left hamstring (twice) and left quadriceps along with right ankle inflammation and left Achilles tendinitis.
He arrived at spring training this year markedly slimmer and had 27 homers and 72 RBIs while playing 114 games — he was sidelined by a strained left hamstring between June 22 and July 29.
Stanton had more than 25 family and friends at the World Series opener. He knew his first World Series appearance was a significant moment for them.
“Not as much as it means to me,” he said. "They can enjoy the show, but at the same time I'm not here to just play in LA. I'm here to win.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton watches his two-run home during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton watches his two-run home during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton connects for a two-run home during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton celebrates in the dugout after his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton connects for a two-run home off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton watches his two-run home off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton celebrates his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
