“We All Believe That”: Bronny James on the Lakers’ Title Ceiling and the Confidence Driving L.A.’s Second Half Surge
“Our team believes that we can be contenders and make a deep playoff run. We all believe that. It’s just gonna come down to playing hard and playing smart and winning games.”
The words came from a 21-year-old second-year guard still very much in the developmental phase of his NBA career. But the confidence behind them the unflinching, almost casual certainty that the Los Angeles Lakers belong in championship conversations reflected something far larger than one player’s optimism .
Bronny James has never been just another rookie. As the son of LeBron James, his every move has been scrutinized since he was old enough to dribble.And when he speaks about what this team can achieve.
The Ceiling: Why the Lakers Believe
At 35-19, the Lakers sit firmly in the Western Conference’s upper tier, jostling with Oklahoma City and Minnesota for seeding while maintaining a comfortable distance from the play-in chaos below them . It is not, by conventional measures, a dominant position. But context matters.
“We all believe that,” Bronny said when asked if the team sees itself as a contender. “It’s just gonna come down to playing hard and playing smart and winning games.”
The simplicity of his formulation is revealing. He does not speak of needing a star addition or a tactical revolution. He speaks of execution the unglamorous, unforgiving work of closing quarters, contesting shots.
The Roster: What Changed at the Deadline
The Lakers’ renewed confidence is not accidental. General manager Rob Pelinka executed a series of moves at the deadline designed to address the team’s most glaring deficiencies: three-point shooting.
Departures:
The cost was significant. D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and multiple future draft picks were sent out to facilitate the upgrades . Pelinka acknowledged the risk: “We’re all-in on this group.
That phrase “this is the window” hangs over everything the Lakers do. LeBron’s contract expires in 2027. Anthony Davis, now 32, remains elite but carries an extensive injury history.
The West: A Gauntlet Without a Favorite
If the Lakers are to make the “deep playoff run” Bronny envisions, they will have to navigate the most unforgiving conference in recent memory.
| Team | Record | Offensive Rating | Defensive Rating | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 40-13 | 118.4 (2nd) | 108.1 (3rd) | +10.3 (1st) |
| Minnesota | 38-16 | 116.2 (4th) | 106.8 (1st) | +9.4 (2nd) |
| Lakers | 35-19 | 115.1 (7th) | 110.2 (4th) | +4.9 (5th) |
| Denver | 34-20 | 117.1 (3rd) | 112.4 (11th) | +4.7 (6th) |
| Phoenix | 33-21 | 114.8 (8th) | 111.9 (9th) | +2.9 (8th) |
There is no clear favorite. There is no superteam. The West, for the first time in years, is genuinely open.“It’s just gonna come down to playing hard and playing smart and winning games,” Bronny said.
What Comes Next: The Road Ahead
The Lakers’ remaining schedule is manageable but demanding. Seven of their next ten games are against teams with winning records, including two matchups with the Thunder and one with the defending champion Celtics .
“I just try to come in and impact winning however I can,” he said. “Whether that’s guarding the other team’s best guard, making the extra pass, or just bringing energy whatever it takes.”
