Bronny James is starting to find his footing after a rocky start in the Summer League, recently delivering back-to-back double-digit scoring games. Despite a challenging moment late in Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was called for a travel while the Los Angeles Lakers trailed by four, James quickly rebounded. Known for his struggles with three-point shooting from high school through college, this hesitation wasn’t surprising. Like many rookies facing high expectations, he chose to drive instead of attempting the open shot.
Mistakes are a part of every rookie’s journey. The key is in the response. Just a minute after the travel, James demonstrated his resilience. With Colin Castleton setting a screen, Jaylon Tyson opted to defend by going under, daring James to shoot. Rising to the challenge, James confidently sank a three-pointer, narrowing the Cleveland lead and marking his most significant shot of the Summer League so far.
Bronny James the pretty ball fake into the middy.
Dalton Knecht running the break for the strong slam.
Lakers’ draftees off to a strong start on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/HlN9eIjVou
— NBA (@NBA) July 19, 2024
While this moment isn’t a career-defining highlight, it represents a glimmer of progress. After starting the Summer League with 14 consecutive missed three-pointers and struggling against physically stronger opponents, James faced intense scrutiny, including public doubt from Jaylen Brown about his NBA potential. Most Summer League players don’t face such pressure.
However, James has now recorded two solid performances, amassing 25 points over games against the Hawks and Cavaliers, with 10-of-21 shooting, five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. These stats show he’s beginning to find his rhythm in competitive play. Though transitioning to NBA-level competition remains a distant goal, these games offer a promising start.
Bronny James is expected to spend a significant portion of his rookie season in the G-League, likely requiring several years to fully develop into an NBA-ready player. Given that many players picked 55th overall typically peak in the G-League, James’s current trajectory is quite typical. He’s not making headlines, but he’s holding his own and steadily improving in a professional environment. After a tough start, this consistent, all-around performance is an encouraging sign for him and the Lakers.
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