After a rocky start to their summer league, the Los Angeles Lakers finally grabbed their first victory of 2024 by edging out the Atlanta Hawks 87-86, thanks in no small part to the contributions of rookie guard Bronny James.
Bronny's Impressive Performance
Selected as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, James has faced significant pressure and high expectations. However, he demonstrated remarkable poise under pressure in this tightly contested game. He kicked off the match with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper, setting the tone for his performance. Despite averaging only 4.3 points and missing all 15 of his previous three-point attempts in the first four summer league games, James showcased his resilience in this match.
James finished with 12 points, nine of which he secured in the first half. He connected on 5 of his 11 field goal attempts, including 2 of 5 from beyond the arc, indicating a significant improvement in his shooting accuracy. Most notably, James sank a critical three-pointer late in the game to tie the score, exemplifying his clutch potential.
"My mom, my dad really help me, encouraging me to stay focused and keep being myself. So I feel like that's a big part of how I came out [tonight]," said James after the game. Reflecting on his journey so far, he added, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Team Effort and Defensive Prowess
The Lakers' victory wasn't solely due to James' performance. Lakers center Colin Castleton was a powerhouse on the floor, scoring 17 points, collecting 12 rebounds, racking up six assists, and making two steals. His all-around performance was instrumental in keeping the Lakers competitive throughout the contest.
"I think he's stepping into a good role. It takes a little bit of time. He has a lot of pressure, a lot of things on him. So he has a great mindset. He's a great kid, great teammate, and we love being around him. Everybody in the organization loves being around him and he took great shots tonight and just got a good rhythm," Castleton said, praising James.
The game saw the Lakers solidify their win with a critical defensive stop in the closing seconds, showcasing the team's dedication to both ends of the floor. This win snapped their five-game losing streak, giving the team a morale boost as they head into their next summer league game.
Absent Key Players
The Hawks were without their No. 1 overall pick Zacharie Risacher, and the Lakers’ first-round draft pick Dalton Knecht also did not make an appearance in the game. Their absence shifted more focus onto the current players to step up and deliver, which they certainly did.
Bronny Faces Criticism and Support
Off the court, Bronny James has navigated a swirl of opinions and critiques, some of them even coming from established NBA players. A social media post recently captured Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown appearing to critique James during the Lakers' loss to the Celtics. Responding to the challenges, James has shown impressive composure and maturity.
Jaylen Brown later commented, "It's a flex to have your son alongside you in the NBA. It reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful. I look forward to watching his growth."
Rich Paul, James' agent, defended him by saying, "You can't take everybody's opinion and try to turn it against him or think that he's a bad person. At least [Brown] is someone who is actually in the league. There's a lot of 'experts' with no expertise; he's actually an expert with expertise. So, if he has that opinion, he can have that opinion. I know Jaylen. I know he doesn't mean that with any malice. He was just having a conversation."
Lakers assistant coach Dane Johnson also weighed in on James' perseverance, "He had those same shots previously, and he just missed them. So, we're going to encourage him to keep taking those. If he's open and we have an open catch-and-shoot [shot], we want him to shoot those, along with everybody else. Open catch-and-shoot threes are what we're looking for. Even if you're not making them, believe in yourself, have confidence in yourself."
Building Bonds
As Bronny James continues his journey in the NBA, he anticipates strengthening the relationship with his father, LeBron James, who remains a cornerstone of the Lakers. "I feel like playing together [and] going to work together every day is just going to build on the relationship we already have. Build that connection, maybe even stronger. But I'm excited to get to work with my dad," Bronny said, a statement that resonates with the unique dynamic unfolding within the Lakers organization.
With two more games scheduled in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, the Lakers hope to build on this victory and continue to develop their young talent. Bronny James’ evolving role and confidence will be key as the summer league progresses and he carves his own path in the NBA.