Former Lakers center Tarik Black found the initial transition from college to the NBA physically challenging.

It was a tough adjustment to face grown men with 10 or 15 years of NBA-level experience.

“You don’t have to come in fully packaged,” Black said. “You just have to have potential in different areas, but do really well in the things you’re expected to do.”

Black recalls his time in the G League as a period that allowed him to get crucial minutes and get shots and reps in during his spells from the bench and starting roles. He said it helped him stay in game shape, find his rhythm and build confidence.

The former Houston Rockets and Lakers player believes James should take advantage of having all that experience and knowledge around him.

“Soak up the wisdom and ask questions to get as many perspectives as possible,” he said. “And then go to the G League, if he gets sent there, and work on everything you’re being taught.”

As the 2014-15 season started, injuries to Dwight Howard opened the door for Black to start for the Rockets.

All of a sudden, the 6’9″ rookie was carrying the load as the No. 1 center.

“It was the longest year of my life,” Black said. “I was physically exhausted by the process. But knowing who I am, what I bring to the table and breaking down those principles gave me that simplicity.”

When Black was at the Lakers early in his career, he said putting his hand up for extra sessions throughout preseason and training camp helped him get to the next level physically and on the court.

Any time Howard, Joey Dorsey or other bigs were on the court, Black would jump in to help on defense, rebound or find a way to get involved.

“For a young guy at practice you don’t get many repetitions at doing drills,” he said. “But as many times as they would allow me to, I’m trying to play, get my reps in, trying to learn the game and getting used to what the game is like at their level at that level – the NBA is a totally different game.”

Every path for an NBA rookie is different. James has a guaranteed contract and has been exposed to an elite basketball life through his father, LeBron. Black says those experiences will help the rookie navigate the early goings of training camp and be less of an adjustment for him.

“When you get out of the glitz and glamour of the NBA and go to the G, you get a chance to play strictly for the love of the game,” he said. “The G is full of hungry talent and you get the chance to compete for the purity of competing. [Bronny needs to] take advantage of that.”