The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of 2024 in a thrilling summer league game, narrowly edging out the Atlanta Hawks 87-86. This much-needed win came as a relief for the Lakers, who were on a five-game losing streak. Filling the spotlight was rookie guard Bronny James, who played a pivotal role in the hard-fought victory.
Bronny James Shows Potential
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, made his mark early by sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper to start the game. Despite averaging only 4.3 points and failing to make any of his 15 three-point attempts in the first four summer league games, Bronny found his rhythm against the Hawks. He finished with 12 points, scoring nine of them in the first half and made 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Demonstrating his capability under pressure, Bronny nailed a critical three-pointer late in the game to tie the score, showcasing his tenacity and potential. Reflecting on his performance, he credited his family for their unwavering support, stating, "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]."
A Budding Career Under Pressure
As a rookie navigating the intense world of professional basketball, Bronny has faced considerable scrutiny. Jaylen Brown, appearing in a social media post, seemed to critique Bronny during a previous game. However, Brown later expressed admiration for Bronny's journey, saying, "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."
Amidst the pressure, Bronny's efforts have not gone unnoticed by his teammates and the Lakers organization. Teammate Colin Castleton praised his progress, "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."
A Team Effort
While Bronny's contribution was significant, the Lakers' success was also bolstered by an exceptional performance from center Colin Castleton. Castleton scored 17 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, had six assists, and made two steals, proving to be a formidable presence on the court. His defensive stop in the closing seconds was crucial in sealing the victory for the Lakers.
Despite their win, the Lakers played without their first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, and faced an Atlanta Hawks team missing the No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher. Nevertheless, the Lakers managed to pull through, marking a significant morale boost as they prepare for their upcoming games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas.
Looking Ahead
Keeping an unwavering focus on his game, Bronny remains committed to improving. As he puts it, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive." Lakers Summer League coach Dane Johnson echoed this sentiment, encouraging Bronny to maintain his confidence, "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."
Bronny also expressed excitement about building a stronger connection with his father, LeBron James. "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," he shared.
As the Lakers move forward in their summer league schedule, all eyes are on Bronny James and how he will continue to develop in the high-stakes environment of professional basketball. For now, this hard-fought win against the Hawks offers a glimpse of his potential and the bright future that lies ahead for the young guard.