The Los Angeles Lakers finally tasted victory in their 2024 summer league campaign, clinching a heart-stopping 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks. This triumph marks not only the team's first win of the season but also an end to their frustrating five-game losing streak.
Playing a pivotal role in this much-needed win was rookie guard Bronny James. Picked 55th overall in the 2024 draft, the young athlete demonstrated both skill and composure under pressure. From the moment he opened the game with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper, it was clear James was determined to make an impact. Despite averaging just 4.3 points and missing all 15 of his three-point attempts in the initial four games, James showcased a newfound tenacity on the court.
"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]," James remarked after the game, reflecting on the support system that has been instrumental in his early development.
James ended the game with 12 points, nine of which came in a dominant first half. He hit 5-of-11 field attempts, including a notable 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Perhaps none of his shots was more critical than a late-game three-pointer that tied the score, providing the Lakers a fighting chance to eventually seal the victory. Reflecting on his performance, he shared, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Lakers center Colin Castleton also turned in a stellar performance, contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. His comments on James underscored the rookie's promising potential: "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."
The Lakers' defense sealed the win with a crucial stop in the closing seconds, a testament to their resolve and resilience. It was a particularly notable game for the team, as both the Lakers' first-round draft pick Dalton Knecht and Hawks' No. 1 overall pick Zacharie Risacher were absent from the lineup.
Adding to the drama, a social media post had recently surfaced capturing Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny James during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown had nothing but praise for James following this game: "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, an influential figure in James' career, was quick to address Brown's earlier 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," Paul emphasized, highlighting the often misunderstood nature of professional critiques.
Looking ahead, Lakers assistant coach Dane Johnson expressed confidence in James' shooting, despite earlier struggles. "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," Johnson advised.
The Lakers' next challenges will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls in Las Vegas. With James and the team riding the momentum of this victory, all eyes will be on their continued performance and growth. The journey to the top is long, but with a young talent like James showing flashes of brilliance, the future looks promising.
As James himself poignantly put it, "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 familial bond, coupled with his evident on-court abilities, indicates that Bronny James is on the right path to carving out his own legacy in the NBA.