The Los Angeles Lakers clinched their first victory of the 2024 summer league in a thrilling game against the Atlanta Hawks, edging out a narrow 87-86 win. This victory marked the end of a five-game losing streak for the Lakers and highlighted the potential of their younger talents, especially rookie guard Bronny James.
Bronny James: Rising to the Occasion
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, played a pivotal role in this hard-fought victory. Despite a challenging start to his summer league career, where he averaged only 4.3 points and missed all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four games, James showcased his resilience and skill against the Hawks. He started the game confidently, sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper and ending the game with a notable performance of 12 points. Nine of these points were scored in the first half, and his overall shooting was much improved, connecting on 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
The game saw a crucial moment late in the contest where James made a three-pointer to tie the score, a shot that demonstrated his growing confidence and ability to perform under pressure. Speaking after the game, James credited his family for their support. "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]," he said. Bronny also emphasized the importance of staying aggressive, despite his earlier struggles. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Team Effort and Individual Brilliance
While Bronny James' performance was certainly a highlight, it was the collective effort of the Lakers that secured the win. Center Colin Castleton was instrumental, posting an impressive double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Castleton also contributed significantly with six assists and two steals, underlining his all-around game. Reflecting on James’ performance, 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. Everybody in the organization loves being around him and he took great shots tonight and just got a good rhythm."
Missing Key Players
Notably, the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, did not play in the game, nor did the Hawks' No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher. Their absences were felt, but it allowed other players to step up and leave their mark on the game. The Lakers' victory was also strengthened by a crucial defensive stop in the closing seconds, which encapsulated their determination to end their losing streak.
External Opinions and Future Outlook
Jaylen Brown, watching from the sidelines, commented on the experience of seeing Bronny play. "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," Brown remarked. His presence and comments highlighted the expectations and scrutiny Bronny faces as he carves out his career in the NBA.
Rich Paul, a key figure in the basketball world, offered his perspective on the public and professional opinions surrounding Bronny. "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."
Assistant coach Dane Johnson also emphasized the need for Bronny to maintain confidence in his shooting. "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."
As the Lakers move forward in the summer league, they have two more games scheduled against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas. The team will look to build on their recent success and further assess their roster, especially the promising talents like Bronny James.
Reflecting on the opportunity to play in the NBA and grow closer to his family, Bronny noted, "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." This speaks to the unique dynamics at play as Bronny continues to develop his game under the watchful eyes of both the public and his family.