Bronny James Lights Up Lakers Debut, Sparking New Dynasty Hopes

 

Bronny James made his debut at the NBA Summer League on July 6 and was surprised by the warm reception he received in the city where his father played some of the most intense NBA Finals games.

image

When asked what surprised him the most after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 94-108 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the California Classic opener, Bronny James said, “The atmosphere.”

“It was more than I expected. This is a big game for me, but I didn’t know if people from Golden State would come out and support me. It was great to see that.

image

The eldest James finished the game with 4 points on 2-of-9 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 22 minutes of play. Dane Johnson, the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers’ G-League affiliate South Bay Lakers, fielded Bronny alongside Colin Castleton, Sean East II, Dalton Knecht, and Maxwell Lewis.

image

“He just needs to keep learning, keep practicing, and recognize his potential,” Johnson said. “For instance, he could drive more aggressively if he uses his shoulder when he has the advantage over his opponent. And just build that confidence in him.”

It was a stark contrast to LeBron James’ summer league debut in Orlando, Florida, in 2003, where LeBron scored 14 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists. Fans even hid under cars in the players’ parking lot just to catch a glimpse of “King James” as he got off the team bus.

However, LeBron was the No. 1 pick, while Bronny is No. 55. The expectations for Bronny’s debut were still high, with a line of cameras along the sideline an hour before the game started to capture the 6’1″ guard’s pre-game warm-ups.

image

Midway through the second half, James showed the defensive potential the Lakers saw when they picked him, stealing the ball and starting a fast break that ended with a Blake Hinson assist to Kyle Mangas for a score.

“Moments like that can slow the game down,” Bronny said about the second-half play. “Slow the game down for you, especially since I wasn’t as effective earlier as I wanted to be.”

He missed his first three shots, made one, then missed four more before scoring again with a mid-range jumper midway through the third quarter.

James’ summer league debut marked his first game in nearly four months since his college career ended unremarkably with USC’s 70-49 loss to Arizona in the Pac-12 quarterfinals, where James scored only 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting, with 1 rebound and 1 steal.

Speaking to reporters after the first day of Team USA Basketball training camp in Las Vegas, LeBron dismissed any statistical struggles Bronny might encounter.

image

“What he does at the California Classic and summer league, it doesn’t matter if he plays well or doesn’t play well,” LeBron said. “I just want him to continue growing through practices, watching film, and personal workouts. You can’t take any statistics from the California Classic and summer league and apply them to the regular season. So, the only thing that matters is that he progresses and gains experience day by day.”

The Lakers will play two more games in the California Classic on July 7 against the Golden State Warriors and July 10 against the Miami Heat, before heading to Las Vegas, where they will open against the Houston Rockets on July 12.

Related Posts

Kevin Durant Flaunts His Lamborghini and Rolls Royce Supercars on a Glamorous Monaco Getaway

The star player for the New York Nets, Kevin Durant, has been on holiday in Europe since May 9. He has mostly been in Monaco, where Michael James, his former teammate, was also on vacation. Durant revealed on social media that he owns multiple Rolls-Royce …

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Net Worth: How the NBA’s ‘Greek Freak’ Earns and Spends His Millions

World-class basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s become one of the richest. Many call the 28-year-old Milwaukee Bucks player “The Greek Freak” for his amazing accomplishments before his 30th birthday. He won back-to-back NBA MVP titles in 2019 …

Stephen Curry Surprises Ayesha with a Rare Mercedes Brabus G800 Widestar for School Runs

NBA star Stephen Curry stunned fans by giving his wife, Ayesha Curry, an incredible gift in an unexpected turn of events. The pair, who are well-known for their passion for basketball and family, gave their everyday activities—especially their kids’ school …

Michael Jordan’s New 5,346-Square-Meter Villa: Features Two Infinity Pools and a Private Basketball Court

The legendary basketball player Michael Jordan has made news once more, this time for his lavish post-retirement purchase, a massive 5,346 square meter mansion. Jordan can continue honing his skills in the comfort of his own home at this opulent villa, …

Memphis Grizzlies Star Marcus Smart Goes All Out for a Lavish 30th Birthday Celebration

Marcus Smart, the formidable talent of the Memphis Grizzlies, spared no expense in celebrating his milestone 30th birthday in lavish style. From extravagant parties to exclusive gifts, Smart’s birthday festivities exuded opulence and grandeur. Surrounded …

Fans Adore These Heartwarming Moments of Klay Thompson and His Beloved Dog Rocco

Klay Thompson shows love for his dog Rocco, adorable photos of him and Rocco make everyone touch. The bond between Klay Thompson and his beloved dog Rocco brings joy to fans everywhere, who adore the heartwarming moments shared between the NBA star and …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *