In Las Vegas, during the opening moments of the game, Bronny James, the rookie guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, received a warm reception from the Lakers-supportive crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center as he nailed a 17-foot pull-up jumper coming off a screen. This shot provided a significant moment of relief for James, who had struggled in his initial four summer league appearances. Up to that point, he had averaged 4.3 points per game with a field goal percentage of just 22.6%, and had missed all 15 of his attempted 3-pointers.
James faced immense scrutiny and pressure due to the attention surrounding him during the California Classic games in San Francisco and the Lakers’ initial three games in Las Vegas. Every move he made was closely observed, and the crowd reacted audibly with disappointment each time he missed a shot or passed the ball.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of the 2024 summer league season with an 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks, ending their previous 0-5 start. Bronny James, the rookie guard, delivered his strongest performance yet, scoring 12 points, including 9 in the first half, on 5-of-11 shooting. He also made 2 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc and hit a crucial 3-pointer late in the game to tie the score. The Lakers sealed the win with a defensive stop in the closing seconds.
Reflecting on his performance, James expressed confidence in his ability to play the game the right way, emphasizing consistency in his approach. He credited his parents, especially his supportive mother and father, LeBron James, who is currently overseas with Team USA, for their encouragement and guidance. LeBron advised him to remain aggressive despite any shooting struggles, which Bronny took to heart.
Acknowledging the intense scrutiny he has faced during summer league, James highlighted the support he has received from his family and discussed the challenge of maintaining composure amidst the attention. He appreciated the crowd’s impact and recognized that dealing with such scrutiny is part of playing at the NBA level.
Meanwhile, Lakers center Colin Castleton, who led the team with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in the game, praised James for handling the pressure admirably throughout the summer league.
Colin Castleton praised Bronny James for stepping into a positive role with the Lakers during summer league, acknowledging the pressure and expectations on him. Castleton highlighted James’s mindset, characterizing him as a great teammate and a player who took good shots and found his rhythm in the recent game. He emphasized that James is handling the pressure well despite the challenges.
James’s performance came after a summer league game against Boston where Celtics star Jaylen Brown, sitting courtside, was seen in a viral social media clip seemingly questioning James’s readiness for the professional level. Brown later clarified his remarks, expressing respect for James’s potential and the support system around him.
Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and agent for both LeBron and Bronny James, addressed the incident on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN. Paul defended James, emphasizing that development is a natural part of every player’s journey, including James’s. He highlighted James’s defensive prowess and passion for the game, noting that while scoring is important, building strong habits and improving overall skills are crucial aspects of his growth.
Paul stressed that summer league performance isn’t the sole indicator of James’s future success, underscoring his dedication to basketball and ongoing development. He also defended Jaylen Brown’s right to his opinion as someone with expertise in the league, suggesting there was no malice in Brown’s comments.
Dane Johnson, the Lakers’ summer league coach, expressed confidence that Bronny James’s recent performance would enhance his self-assurance. Johnson emphasized the team’s support for James’s shooting abilities, encouraging him to continue taking open catch-and-shoot opportunities, even if they aren’t initially successful.
Johnson highlighted James’s persistence, noting that he had previously attempted similar shots but had not converted them. He reiterated the importance of maintaining belief and confidence in one’s abilities, stressing that open catch-and-shoot threes are a fundamental part of their offensive strategy.
Following the game, James shared his excitement about potentially playing alongside his father, LeBron James, in the upcoming season. He emphasized how this opportunity could strengthen their relationship and connection both on and off the court. When asked what he looks forward to the most, James playfully mentioned the prospect of competing against his father during practice sessions.
The Lakers still have two remaining summer league games scheduled in Las Vegas: one against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday and another against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. This period presents further opportunities for James to continue showcasing his skills and development on the court.
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