Bronny James is fully aware of the message from both his father, LeBron James, and his coach: his transition to the Los Angeles Lakers will be a gradual process requiring significant effort and patience.
Friday’s game underscored this reality.
James, selected 55th overall in last month’s NBA draft, faced a tough challenge, struggling to find his rhythm and scoring just eight points as the Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets 99-80 on the opening day of the NBA Summer League.
LeBron James, Bronny’s father, wasn’t present at the game, as he was with the U.S. Olympic team in Abu Dhabi, having arrived earlier in the day to prepare for upcoming exhibition games as part of their ramp-up for the Paris Games. However, Bronny’s mother, Savannah James, was there, amid a sold-out crowd predominantly dressed in Lakers purple and gold. The fans erupted in cheers when Bronny was introduced, showing their support and excitement.
“The atmosphere, they came to support,” Bronny James said, acknowledging the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Bronny’s performance, however, reflected his ongoing adjustment to the professional level. His final stats for the game were: 3-for-14 from the field, 0-for-8 on three-pointers, five rebounds, two steals, and three turnovers in 27 minutes. Over three Summer League games, including two at the California Classic in San Francisco, he has been shooting 23% and has yet to make a three-pointer in twelve attempts.
“The shot hasn’t been falling,” Bronny admitted.
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Lakers coach JJ Redick, speaking with ESPN during the second quarter, emphasized the focus on Bronny’s defense and the intensive player development program the team has designed for him.
“He had a heart procedure last year, an up-and-down freshman year, and went through the pre-draft process. There’s a conditioning element to playing defensively,” Redick explained. “But overall, we like what we’ve seen in practice and in Summer League.”
LeBron James, who participated in summer leagues in Orlando and Boston as a rookie, has advised his son to focus on growth and learning, rather than statistics.
“The only thing that matters is him getting better and stacking days,” LeBron said.
Bronny had a promising start on Friday, scoring six of the Lakers’ first 13 points with a layup, two free throws, and an impressive dunk. However, he did not score again until midway through the fourth quarter, when he executed a driving basket with a nifty move, starting with a left-hand dribble down the lane and finishing with a right-hand floater.
In the California Classic games, Bronny’s stats were modest: he shot 3-for-12 from the floor, 1-for-4 from the foul line, and 0-for-4 on three-pointers. He averaged 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 25 minutes per game over the two contests.
“I’m excited about Bronny,” Lakers forward Anthony Davis said earlier in the week. “It’s a unique experience. It’s never been done before in basketball, and it’s exciting to have him on our team and watch him grow.”
