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

It was a difficult adjustment to compete against grown men with ten or fifteen years of experience at the NBA level.

“You don’t have to come in fully packed,” Black said. “You just have to have potential in different areas, but perform very well in the things that are expected of you.”

Black remembers his time in the G League as one where he got crucial minutes and shots and reps during his stints off the bench and starting roles. He said it helped him stay in shape, find his rhythm and build confidence.

The former Houston Rockets and Lakers player believes that James should benefit from all the experience and knowledge around him.

“Try to absorb 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 learn.”

When the 2014-15 season began, Dwight Howard’s injury opened the door for Black to start for the Rockets.

Suddenly, the 6-foot-2 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 through those principles gave me that simplicity.”

When Black was early in his career with the Lakers, he said putting in extra sessions during preseason and training camp helped him get to the next level both physically and on the court.

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

“For a young guy in training, you don’t get a lot of reps doing drills,” he said. “But as often as they let me, I try to play, get my reps in, learn the game and get used to what the game is like at their level at that level — the NBA is a completely different game.”

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

“When you step out of the glitz and glamor of the NBA and go to the G, you get the opportunity to play solely for the love of the game,” he said. “The G is full of hungry talent and you get the opportunity to compete for the purity of competing. (Bronny must) take advantage of that.”