2019-01-14 08:00:00
Isaac Bonga was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018 and is currently alternating between the first team and G-League team South Bay Lakers. In an interview with SPOX, the 19-year-old spoke regarding the challenges in the G-League and LeBron James’ leadership qualities.
Bonga also explained how Moritz Wagner helped him settle into Los Angeles.
SPOX: Mr Bonga, from Koblenz via Frankfurt to Los Angeles in just over two years. That’s a pretty steep climb for a 19-year-old. How did you experience these two years? Have you been able to process all this and what was the most decisive experience for you during this time?
Isaac Bonga: I can’t say exactly, a lot has happened in these two years. I haven’t really processed it yet. It’s cool living in Los Angeles now, so I’m trying to enjoy the moment, keep in touch with my family, and stay healthy.
SPOX: That sounds very modest …
Bonga: I’m really grateful for everything that’s happened so far, but I certainly won’t rest on my laurels. On the contrary: I will now work much harder on myself to achieve my goals. My goal isn’t just to be in the NBA, but to become one of the best players in this league, in the whole world.
SPOX: In the meantime you have also celebrated your NBA debut, but you spend most of your time in the G-League, which definitely has its pitfalls. Players are fighting for their last chance, guards in particular are trying to improve their stats with a lot of throws and then there are young players like yourself. How do you experience the league, also in comparison to the BBL?
Bonga: The G-League is a strong league, even compared to the BBL. Everything goes much faster here, there are many guards who are damn good. For me, the focus is primarily on gaining experience, learning, and then making the leap to the right Lakers for a longer period of time. Of course, that’s my goal, that I’ll be an integral part of this squad at some point.
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SPOX: Your performance in the G-League was definitely very promising, especially the three went surprisingly well in the first few weeks. Was that the focus of the offseason?
Bonga: Of course, but I’ve also worked a lot on my throw in the last two years. At the moment I’m looking that I can take these throws in rhythm in game situations. There’s a lot going on right now and I hope it stays that way. But of course the shot isn’t the only thing I’m working on. I’m also trying to improve my ball handling and passing. It’s great that the litter falls so well, but it’s actually more of a minor matter.
SPOX: Magic Johnson is said to be a big fan of yours and was particularly committed to you. Does he continue to give you advice and how does it feel when your idol helps you get better.
Bonga: Magic told me that a lot of people had their doubts regarding him too, especially if he might play as a point guard at his height. Something like that just gives you a really good feeling when you have the trust of such legends. He keeps telling me that this is a process and that I should work hard on myself. Something like that gives me the feeling that with hard work I can make it in this league.
SPOX: What role does Rajon Rondo actually play in the Lakers organization now? He has recently been present at your games in the G-League more often and coached diligently. Do you see him as a future coach?
Bonga: Rondo is one of our absolute spokesmen. But you probably have to ask him yourself whether he will become a coach or not. For my part, I can say that he always helps out. I accept that too and often seek his advice. After my first game he came up to me and wanted to know how I felt. When a veteran behaves like this, it’s also easier to approach them and then pester them with questions.
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SPOX: LeBron James has also been seen in South Bay a few times. How did it feel when you shared the court with him every day. What impression did he make on you? Tell me how what might be the best player in the world ticks.
Bonga: He’s just a very funny person off the field. Like Rondo, he walks up to you and asks you how you’re feeling. Of course, he is always busy on the field, be it in a game or in training. You often forget that when you look at its quality. He works just as hard as everyone else, is always one of the first in the hall and especially helps the players who, like me, are fairly new to the league. If we have problems or questions, he is always there for us. Especially for us rookies or new players from abroad, it’s extremely important that we have a leader who shows us how to do it.
SPOX: With Moritz Wagner, a second German also plays for the Lakers. Since he has lived in the States for a number of years, has he been able to help you settle in?
Bonga: It really was one of the biggest coincidences that might happen that Moritz and I were drafted by the same team and we can actually play together now. And of course he helps me too, he’s a person who has a lot of energy. In the first few games he kept coming up to me and telling me to have faith in myself. It’s just important to have someone like him by your side. Moritz is just a really good boy. We also often hang out with each other in our free time, which is great when you have a fellow countryman at your side when you are abroad.
SPOX: If you had said a few years ago that two Germans would play for the Lakers, it would have been unimaginable. You can say that German basketball is on the up, right?
Bonga: If someone had told me that two years ago, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. We have seven, eight guys in the NBA now. That’s more than remarkable, which is why I think we have a great future ahead of us.
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