Bronny James’ first appearances in a purple and gold jersey have been the whole lot however spectacular, particularly throughout his Summer season League debut in Las Vegas this previous weekend. The Lakers misplaced in opposition to the Rockets 99-80 and the 19-year-old was very imprecise when capturing, regardless of producing a number of attention-grabbing performs in the course of the match.
“I simply really feel like I’m in a little bit stoop proper now,” he admitted after scoring 8 factors that got here on 3-for-14 capturing in opposition to Houston. The No. 55 choose of the previous NBA Draft stated that he’ll welcome any project given to him in his first marketing campaign as a basketball skilled.
Nonetheless, the younger guard is open so long as he’s given the chance to play and enhance his recreation, even whether it is taking part in for the G League squad in South Bay. “I’m simply wanting ahead to any basketball I play, it doesn’t matter what degree I’m taking part in at,” he insisted.
“Do not take an excessive amount of inventory, it is Summer season League.”@PaulPierce34 on Bronny James’ early struggles pic.twitter.com/JnlEHz8DU1
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) July 15, 2024
After this weekend’s conflict in Nevada, it’s onerous to not enter comparisons, particularly as Bronny confronted the Rockets’ Cam Whitmore. The No. 20 choose of final 12 months’s draft ended the competition with 20 factors, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. As a rookie, he performed 13 matches for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers within the G League, and averaged 26.8 factors, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a pair of.1 steals per recreation.
James Jr., alternatively, suffered three turnovers that evening and struggled on offense typically. After three Summer season League shows, together with each California Basic clashes, the 19-year-old is dropping 23.1% of his pictures general, and has missed each single try from past the arc.
When requested about his pupil’s woes, the Lakers’ summer time league coach Dane Johnson is satisfied that the participant is simply getting settled into the large leagues and is exhibiting promise for the long run.
“Shoot, he’s going to have a protracted profession,” stated Johnson, who primarily coaches the South Bay Lakers within the G League. “That is only the start. We simply hold instilling [confidence], hold that of their heads. So we’ve obtained a protracted technique to go. I don’t learn about that but, so I can’t actually touch upon that,” Johnson stated. “However I believe all these guys are going to be within the G League in some unspecified time in the future — the draftees.”
Bronny’s agent has knowledgeable groups across the league that his consumer isn’t concerned about becoming a member of every other franchise on a two-way contract
Whereas Dalton Knecht is really demonstrating why the has been a lot hype round him, particularly because the Draft’s No. 17 choose led the Los Angeles group with 25 factors on 9-for-18 capturing (5-for-11 from 3), 6 rebounds and 4 assists in opposition to Houston, James Jr. nonetheless has rather a lot to show.
His agent Wealthy Paul even informed ESPN that he knowledgeable different NBA franchises that Bronny isn’t seeking to be a part of every other squad on a two-way deal. “I obtained the phrase out early to groups that in the event you plan on bringing Bronny in, right here’s what you must know: Should you gained’t give him an actual deal, there’s nothing to speak about,” he expressed. “It’s onerous to get actual growth on a two-way deal.”
Whereas his offensive shows have been removed from spectacular, his protection is beginning to lookup. The rising star recorded two steals (including to his 5 in whole in the course of the Summer season League), and guarded Rockets rookie Reed Shepard all through the competition.
“I’ve recognized Reed since fifth grade,” James Jr. stated concerning the No. 3 choose of the Draft. “I do know he’s a shooter, so I used to be simply making an attempt to get in his physique and stop these 3-balls from going up. I used to be making an attempt to choose him up full courtroom and exhibiting my effort to the GM and coaches.”
