In what has shaped up to be an exciting start to the summer league, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched their first victory of 2024 by narrowly defeating the Atlanta Hawks 87-86. The spotlight shone brightly on rookie guard Bronny James, who played a pivotal role in securing the win, marking a significant moment for the Lakers and the young talent.
Bronny's Breakthrough Performance
Bronny James, selected as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, demonstrated early on why he is considered one to watch. He set the tone for the Lakers by sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper to open the game. Despite a challenging start to his summer league campaign—averaging 4.3 points and failing to make any of his 15 three-point attempts in the first four games—James found his rhythm against the Hawks.
James finished the game with 12 points, a noteworthy improvement, having scored nine of those in the first half. He made 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. In a critical moment late in the game, James nailed a three-pointer to tie the score, showcasing his clutch performance under pressure.
A Collective Effort
While Bronny James played a crucial role, the victory was a testament to the collective effort of the team. Lakers center Colin Castleton delivered a standout performance, scoring 17 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, contributing six assists, and making two steals. Castleton praised James for his dedication and growth, stating, "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."
Despite the absence of the Hawks' No. 1 overall pick, Zacharie Risacher, and the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, both teams displayed tenacity. The Lakers' defense was critical in the closing seconds, securing the win and ending a five-game losing streak.
Guidance and Encouragement
Bronny James credited his family for their unwavering 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 shared.
Reflecting on his improved performance, James highlighted the importance of aggression, despite previous setbacks. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," he said. Lakers assistant coach Dane Johnson echoed this sentiment, encouraging James to continue taking open catch-and-shoot opportunities to build confidence.
Support Amid Criticism
Not all the feedback has been positive for the young guard. A social media post caught Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny during a recent loss to the Boston Celtics. However, those close to James took the comments in stride. Rich Paul emphasized the value of constructive criticism, stating, "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."
Brown himself expressed admiration and support for James’s journey, noting the significance of playing alongside his father in the NBA. "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."
Looking Ahead
The Lakers have two more scheduled games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. As Bronny James continues to find his footing and contribute significantly, all eyes will be on how he and the team build on this crucial victory. Establishing a stronger connection with his father on the court, Bronny expressed his excitement for the future, stating, "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."
With this win, hopes are high that the Lakers can continue to show resilience and improvement, setting the stage for a promising season ahead.