The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first win of the 2024 Summer League in a nail-biting clash against the Atlanta Hawks, finishing with a thrilling 87-86 victory. This win not only ended their five-game losing streak but also provided a highlight reel moment for rookie guard Bronny James.
Bronny James Shines Under Pressure
Bronny James, who was the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, displayed a promising glimpse of his potential. Despite a rocky start in the Summer League, where he averaged 4.3 points and missed all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four games, James stepped up in a pivotal moment.
James kicked off the game confidently by sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper. He maintained this momentum throughout, finishing with a commendable 12 points, nine of which were scored in the first half. His shooting improved as well, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Notably, he made a critical three-pointer late in the game to tie the score, demonstrating his clutch potential.
Reflecting on his performance, Bronny attributed his resilience to family 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]."
Team Effort and Key Contributions
Center Colin Castleton was another standout for the Lakers, contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton praised Bronny's performance, highlighting his growth and mindset. "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."
Though expectations were high for other key players, neither Zacharie Risacher, the Hawks' No. 1 overall pick, nor Dalton Knecht, the Lakers' first-round pick, played in this game. Despite their absence, the Lakers managed to pull off a victory through solid teamwork and critical defensive stops in the waning seconds.
High Expectations and Constructive Criticism
The journey for Bronny James has not been without scrutiny. A social media post captured NBA star Jaylen Brown appearing to critique James during a previous loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown has expressed admiration for James and the unique dynamic of playing alongside his father. "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 prominent sports agent, defended Brown's comments and emphasized the value of constructive criticism. "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."
Looking Forward
Assistant coach Dane Johnson accentuated the team's strategy of boosting players' confidence, especially when it comes to 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."
Bronny himself remains committed to improving his game and cherishes the opportunity to work closely with his father. "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."
As the Lakers head into their next matchups against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas, the team and its fans will be eager to see if this victory is a harbinger of more to come. The development of young talents like Bronny James and the cohesive efforts of the team promise an intriguing Summer League season ahead.