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Baxter Holmes, ESPN Senior Writer
LAS VEGAS — On the first play of the game, Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Bronny James swerved around a screen and drilled a 17-foot pull-up jump shot, eliciting cheers from the pro-Lakers crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The shot was a much-needed relief for James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, who struggled through his first four summer league games, averaging 4.3 points while shooting 22.6 percent from the field and missing all 15 of his 3-point attempts.
The son of LeBron James' struggles came under the intense attention his play garnered during the first two games of the California Classic in San Francisco and the Lakers' first three games in Las Vegas, with his every move scrutinized and crowds groaning every time he missed a shot or passed the ball.
On Wednesday, the Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 87-86 to earn their first win of the 2024 Summer League and end a 0-5 start. And the younger James played his best game to date, hitting 5-of-11 shots and 2-of-5 three-pointers for 12 points (9 in the first half alone). James also made a clutch three-pointer late in the game to tie the game, and the Lakers' defense in the closing seconds helped secure the win.
“I feel like I know how to play the right way,” James said, “so if I just play my game every single time, those kinds of results are going to come.”
In some ways, this marks the 19-year-old James' first win in the NBA.
“My mom and dad really helped me and encouraged me to stay focused and be myself,” James said, calling his parents his supporters. “I think that's a big reason why I was able to come out.” [tonight]”
He also noted that his father, James, was watching the games from overseas as part of the U.S. team and offering advice.
“My dad told me, 'Just play aggressively,'” James said. “My shots aren't going in, but just play aggressively.”
James acknowledged the crowd's presence and overall impact, but also said he was relying on his family, adding, “I'm just trying to stay sane.”
“It's amazing,” he said, smiling as he took in the attention, “but it's something you have to deal with if you play at this level.”
Hawks first-overall pick Zachary Lisacher missed the game, as did Lakers first-round draft pick Dalton Knecht.
Lakers center Colin Castleton led the team with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals. He praised James for how he's handled the scrutiny throughout Summer League.
“I think he's getting into a good role,” Castleton said. “It's going to take some time. He's got a lot of pressure on him, a lot on his shoulders, so he's got a great mindset. He's a great kid, a great teammate, we love being around him. Everybody in the organization loves being around him, and he made some great shots tonight, got in a good rhythm, so that was the biggest thing for him. He's got a good rhythm, but he's handling the pressure.”
James' performance came after the Lakers' loss to Boston in a summer league game on Monday, during which Celtics star Jaylen Brown was sitting courtside and a post went viral on social media appearing to say to WNBA players Kysle Gondrezick and Angel Reese, who were sitting next to him, “I don't think Bronny's a professional.”
Brown attempted to explain the viral video in a social media post to X, writing, “Proud to have my son by my side in the NBA. Reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools to be successful and I am excited to watch him grow.”
Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and agent for both LeBron and Bronny James, appeared on ESPN's “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday to respond to Brown's viral video.
“You can't take everyone's opinion and use it against him or think he's a bad person,” Paul said, adding, “At least [Brown] He's a person who is actually in the league. There are a lot of “experts” who don't have the expertise, but he's an expert who actually has the expertise. So if he has that opinion, he can have that opinion. I know Jalen, I know he didn't mean it with malice. He was just having a conversation.”
Paul also defended James.
“I think all of these guys are developing,” Paul said. “Bronny's no exception. He's not exempt from that development. Obviously, he wants to make shots and he will make them, but again, it's about developing good habits. I think Bronny's chances to play at a league level are at defensive end, which is where he's really good right now.”
“He has to get better at other aspects of his game and he will. Bronny is a passionate player. He plays basketball because he has passion. So I don't think it's all about the summer league. It doesn't matter if he averages 30 points or not. [points] Or whether the average was 3.”
“My mom and dad really helped me and encouraged me to stay focused and be myself, and I think that's a big reason why I was able to come out. [tonight]”
Bronny James
Lakers summer league coach Dane Johnson believes James' performance will only boost his confidence, and he reiterated the team's faith in his shooting.
“He's taken that shot before and missed it,” Johnson said, “so we're just going to encourage him to keep taking those shots.”
“If he's open and we get an open catch-and-shoot,” Johnson said later. [shot]We want him to take those shots, just like any other guy. That open catch-and-shoot 3-pointer is what we want. Even if he doesn't make it, we want him to believe in himself and have confidence in himself.”
After the game, James was asked about playing alongside his father next season.
“Yeah, it's a big step for both of us,” he said. “I feel like we want to play together. [and] Going to work together every day will deepen the relationship we already have. It will just strengthen that connection. But I'm excited to work with my dad.”
What is James most looking forward to?
“We play against each other in practice,” he said with a smile.
The Lakers have two remaining Summer League games scheduled in Las Vegas: Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Saturday against the Chicago Bulls.
