The Los Angeles Lakers finally broke their summer league slump, clinching their first victory of 2024 with a nail-biting 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks. This hard-fought victory not only ended their five-game losing streak but also highlighted the emerging talent of rookie guard Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Bronny James Steps Up
From the tip-off, it was clear that this game would be different for Bronny James. He started the game with confidence, sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper and setting the tone early. His performance was a significant improvement from his earlier outings, where he averaged just 4.3 points and missed all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four summer league games.
James ended the game with 12 points, finding his rhythm in the first half where he scored nine points. He made 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, finally breaking his dry spell from three-point range. His crucial three-pointer late in the game tied the score, setting the stage for the Lakers' final defensive stop to secure the victory.
"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 said, reflecting on his improved performance. He also emphasized the importance of staying aggressive, stating, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
A Team Effort
While Bronny James' performance drew much of the spotlight, the Lakers' victory was truly a team effort. Center Colin Castleton was instrumental, putting up an impressive stat line with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Castleton was full of praise for his young teammate, 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."
The veteran leadership and contributions from the bench also played a critical role in the Lakers' narrow win. The team's defensive prowess was on display in the closing seconds, preventing the Hawks from scoring and ensuring the victory.
Absent Stars
Notably absent from the game were some of the top draft picks. Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, did not play, and neither did the Lakers' first-round draft pick, Dalton Knecht. Their absence put additional pressure on the rest of the team to perform, making the victory even more impressive.
Media Attention and Criticism
The spotlight on Bronny James extends beyond the court. Recently, a social media post captured Jaylen Brown appearing to critique James during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. In response, Jaylen Brown clarified his stance: "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 also weighed in on the matter, defending Brown’s intentions. "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 said.
Looking Forward
The Lakers’ assistant coach, Dane Johnson, expressed confidence in James’ shooting ability despite his early 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 remarked.
As the Lakers continue their summer league campaign, they have two more games scheduled in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. The team and its fans will be looking to build on this latest victory, with Bronny James’ development and performance a key storyline to watch.