The Los Angeles Lakers finally tasted victory in their 2024 summer league campaign with a nail-biting 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks. This closely contested game, marked by a standout performance from rookie guard Bronny James, brought an end to the Lakers' five-game losing streak.
Bronny James Shines Bright
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, played a pivotal role in the Lakers' triumph. Demonstrating his potential, James opened the game with a confident 17-foot pull-up jumper. He went on to score 12 points, nine of which came in the first half, hitting 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
The young guard has faced challenges in previous games, averaging just 4.3 points and struggling to make any of his 15 three-point attempts in those outings. However, this game marked a turning point. Late in the matchup, James nailed a crucial three-pointer, tying the score and setting the stage for the Lakers' victory. "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive," James reflected on his performance.
James credited his parents for their support during this early phase of his professional career. "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]," he said.
Team Effort and Key Contributions
The Lakers' success was not solely attributed to James. Center Colin Castleton delivered an all-around performance, scoring 17 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, dishing out six assists, and making two critical steals. In reflecting on James' growth, 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."
Despite the absence of Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ first-round draft pick, and Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick by the Hawks, the game displayed the depth and resilience of both squads. Knecht's participation might have bolstered the Lakers’ performance even further, but his absence did not hinder the team’s morale or determination.
Defensive Heroics
In the waning moments of the match, the Lakers secured their victory with a critical defensive stop. This decisive play epitomized the team's collaborative effort and strategic acumen. Dane Johnson, reflecting on Bronny James' performance and the team's strategy, emphasized the importance of confidence and consistency. "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 stated.
Social Media Connections
Despite the intensity of the competition, social media continues to play a role in shaping narratives around young players like James. A recent post captured NBA star Jaylen Brown appearing to critique James during a Lakers’ loss against the Boston Celtics. However, the critique was framed positively by Rich Paul, who noted, "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."
Brown himself expressed admiration for Bronny's journey. "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," he remarked.
As the Lakers set their sights on their upcoming games in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, the focus remains on building on this victory. Bronny James summed up the sentiment, expressing excitement about working closely with his father and his team. "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."
The Lakers' recent triumph provides a promising glimpse into the potential of this young squad, with Bronny James at the forefront of this exciting new chapter.