Brownie James said: Defense is my way of survival!

On the NBA, a stage where superstars gather, there is a young man who is proving his value in the simplest way. He is not the kind of scoring machine that can average 20+ per game, nor is he a talented superstar, but he has a resounding name - Brownie James.

As the first player in NBA history to compete with his father, Brownie carries too many expectations and doubts. In the media interview that just ended, the Lakers rookie pointed out his philosophy of survival in one sentence: "If I want to win playing time, I have to be a threat to the defensive end - this is my main goal. "

From the 55th pick in the draft to the glittering G League, Brownie's career start was a slump. With the Nanwan Lakers, he delivered impressive data of 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, proving his potential on the offensive end. However, when he returned to the NBA, reality gave him a blow--27 games, averaging only 6.7 minutes of playing time and 2.3 points per game.

Such contrast is enough to defeat any young player, but Brownie chose the smartest way to deal with it. He knew very well that in this league with many scorers, it was not easy to gain a foothold by offense. "Some players can average 15 or 20 points per game, but I may not be that kind of player yet," said Brownie frankly. "I can't lose the defensive motivation that can make me play. "

This may sound a bit helpless, but in fact it shows maturity and wisdom beyond age. Throughout NBA history, players who are good at defense often have a longer career in the league. Think about Bruce Bowen, the Spurs' defensive champion, although his offense is mediocre, has become an indispensable member of the team with his outstanding defensive ability. Let’s look at Marcus Smart, the Celtic’s defensive core has won the trust of his coach and teammates with his fighting spirit.

Browny is obviously well aware of this. He emphasized in the interview: "This really makes me think about being more proactive on the defensive end." This is not just a slogan, but also his profound thoughts on his career planning. In an era of offensive talent, choosing to focus on defense requires great courage and determination.

Of course, as the son of LeBron James, the pressure Brownie faces is unimaginable to ordinary people. The historic moments of father and son playing together are certainly exciting, but with them are countless pairs of picky eyes and harsh judgments. Every mistake is magnified, and every outstanding performance is questioned whether it is because of the father.

However, it is under this huge pressure that Brownie has shown an impressive psychological quality. He did not choose to escape, nor did he try to take shortcuts, but instead looked for his own path down-to-earth. Defense is the path he chose.

From a tactical point of view, Brownie's choice was wise. The modern NBA pays more and more attention to defense, and players who can create trouble on the defensive end often get more opportunities. The Lakers' current lineup configuration also provides Brownie with room to show his defensive ability. If he can prove his defensive value in the summer league, it will no longer be a luxury to gain more playing time in the new season.

It is worth noting that Brownie did not completely give up on the offensive development. His outstanding performance in the G League proves his scoring ability, and the key is how to combine this ability with the NBA-level defensive strength. If he can bring the offensive feel of the G League to the NBA while maintaining defensive aggression, his value will be greatly improved.

The upcoming summer league will be a great stage for Brownie to prove himself. Last year, he averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in the summer league, with a moderate performance. But this year he is no longer the fledgling rookie. After a season of training, he has a deeper understanding of the NBA and a clearer positioning of himself.

"I need to be a defensive threat" - this sentence is not only what Brownie wants to himself, but also a declaration he issued to the outside world. In this alliance where talent determines everything, he chooses to prove his value in the most primitive and purest way. There are no fancy skills, no amazing data, only unremitting efforts and firm beliefs.

or many years later, when people look back at Brownie James' career, they find this interview a major turning point. From this moment on, he was no longer the young man living under his father's aura, but a professional player with clear goals and firm beliefs.

defense is Brownie James' way of survival. On this challenging road, he will write his own legend in his own way.