On an eventful night in the NBA Summer League, the Los Angeles Lakers finally secured their first victory of 2024, edging out the Atlanta Hawks in a nail-biting 87-86 finish. A name that repeatedly echoed through the stadium was none other than rookie guard Bronny James, who played a pivotal role in ensuring Los Angeles walked away with the win.
Bronny’s Breakthrough Performance
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, has experienced a mixed start to his professional career. However, this game was a shining moment for the young guard. He started with a 17-foot pull-up jumper, setting the tone for what would be his best performance thus far. James finished the game with an impressive 12 points, nine of which came in the first half. His final stats included making 5-of-11 field goal attempts, with a respectable 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
"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]," Bronny said, reflecting on his performance. His family’s support seems to be a stabilizing force for the young athlete as he adapts to the fast-paced life of professional basketball.
Resilience and Critical Moments
Bronny's resilience was on display as he managed to shake off his earlier struggles, where he averaged just 4.3 points and failed to connect on any of his 15 three-point attempts in the first four summer league games. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," Bronny emphasized, speaking to his tenacity.
The game reached its climax when Bronny sank a crucial three-pointer late in the game to tie the score, showcasing his clutch performance under pressure. The Lakers then secured the win with an essential defensive stand in the closing seconds.
Colin Castleton's Dominance
While Bronny's performance grabbed headlines, it was Lakers center Colin Castleton who filled the stat sheet. Castleton recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals, demonstrating his all-around impact on the game. Speaking about Bronny, Castleton said, "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." His leadership and support seem crucial to Bronny's development and the Lakers' team dynamic.
Missing Stars
Interestingly, neither Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, nor the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, took to the court in this game. Their absence set the stage for other players to step up, and the Lakers clearly capitalized on that opportunity, breaking a five-game losing streak with this hard-fought victory.
External Critiques and Support
The game's high stakes were further amplified by off-court narratives. A social media post had captured Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. Despite the apparent criticism, Brown's recent comments suggested otherwise: "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, a close confidant, and agent, defended Bronny against unwarranted scrutiny. "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," Paul stated, giving context to the earlier criticisms.
Looking Ahead
As for the Lakers, they have two more scheduled games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. Their coach, Dane Johnson, expressed confidence in Bronny and the team's direction. "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."
Bronny himself feels optimistic about the future, particularly the opportunity to work alongside his father, NBA superstar 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," Bronny added, highlighting the personal and professional synergy he anticipates.
With this newfound momentum, the Lakers and Bronny James are poised to make the most of their remaining Summer League games, as they strive to build on their latest victory and hone their skills for the upcoming NBA season.