The Los Angeles Lakers achieved a milestone by securing their first victory of 2024 in a nail-biting summer league game against the Atlanta Hawks, edging them out 87-86. This win comes as a relief for the Lakers, who had been grappling with a five-game losing streak.
Bronny James: Stepping Up Under Pressure
Rookie guard Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, played a pivotal role in this victory. James, who had been struggling with his shooting in the initial summer league games, showed remarkable resilience and tenacity. "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]," shared Bronny.
Starting strong, Bronny opened the game by sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper, setting the tone for his performance. Despite averaging only 4.3 points and missing all 15 of his three-point attempts in the previous four games, he showcased his potential by finishing the game with 12 points, nine of which were scored in the first half. James made 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and a crucial three-pointer late in the game to tie the score. His willingness to remain aggressive despite earlier struggles was evident. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," he noted.
The Lakers' Decisive Defense
The game reached its climax with the Lakers' defense holding strong in the closing seconds, securing the win. It was a team effort that highlighted the mettle of this young squad. Lakers center Colin Castleton was a standout performer, contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton's leadership and performance were critical to the Lakers' success. Reflecting on Bronny's role, he 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 Pieces
Notably absent from the game was Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks. The Lakers also missed their first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht. Their absence, however, did not overshadow the excitement of the closely contested match.
Bronny's Journey and Support
Bronny's journey in the NBA is closely watched, given the legacy of his father, LeBron James. The pressure and high expectations haven't gone unnoticed. Rich Paul, a significant figure in Bronny's life, commented on external opinions and support, "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 Ahead
The Lakers have two more scheduled games in Las Vegas, facing the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. As the team prepares for these matches, the focus will be on building the chemistry and performance consistency essential for future victories. Dane Johnson, reflecting on Bronny's shooting, emphasized the team's strategy, "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 James, expressing his excitement about playing in the NBA, particularly under his father's shadow, said, "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." His performance against the Hawks marks a promising step as he aims to carve out his own legacy in the league, supported by familial bonds and a team that believes in his potential.