The Los Angeles Lakers have finally secured their first victory of the 2024 summer league, narrowly edging out the Atlanta Hawks 87-86 in a thrilling contest. The game was highlighted by the breakout performance of rookie guard Bronny James, who played a pivotal role in the win.
Bronny James Shines
Selected as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Bronny James has had a mixed start to his professional career. His initial outings were marked by struggles, particularly from beyond the arc where he failed to convert any of his 15 three-point attempts in the first four summer league games. However, this game against the Hawks saw a more confident and composed James.
Bronny set the tone early by sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper, signaling his intent for the night. He finished the game with 12 points, of which nine were scored in the first half. His shooting percentage drastically improved, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from three-point range. The young guard's pivotal moment came late in the game when he drained a crucial three-pointer to tie the score, showcasing his resilience and clutch ability.
"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 remarked, attributing his performance to his family's unwavering support. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," he added, underlining his mindset going into the game.
Team Effort and Defensive Prowess
While Bronny's performance was significant, it was a collective team effort that sealed the victory. The Lakers managed to hold off the Hawks with a critical defensive stop in the final seconds, illustrating their determination to end the five-game losing streak they had been mired in.
Center Colin Castleton was another standout, contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton's balanced performance across various aspects of the game provided the stability the Lakers needed. Speaking about Bronny's role in the team, 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."
Strategic Moves and Absences
The Lakers’ strategy was evident as they encouraged open shots, even if previous attempts had missed the mark. Assistant coach Dane Johnson emphasized this approach: "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."
Noteworthy absences in the game included Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, as well as the Lakers' own first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht. These omissions undoubtedly impacted both teams' dynamics, but the Lakers managed to adapt and overcome.
Beyond Basketball
Bronny’s journey is about more than just basketball; it's also about legacy and family. In a social media post, Jaylen Brown appeared to critique Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics, yet expressed admiration for the young player: "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 notable NBA agent, also weighed in on the critique: "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."
Bronny himself is excited about the opportunities ahead, particularly the chance to play alongside his father, 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," he shared.
The Lakers now look forward to their upcoming games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. With the momentum from this hard-fought victory and the emergence of Bronny James, the future looks promising for the Lakers as they continue their summer league campaign.