Bronny James’ first appearances in a purple and gold jersey have been every thing however spectacular, particularly throughout his Summer time League debut in Las Vegas this previous weekend. The Lakers misplaced towards the Rockets 99-80 and the 19-year-old was very imprecise when capturing, regardless of producing just a few attention-grabbing performs in the course of the match.
“I simply really feel like I’m in just a little hunch proper now,” he admitted after scoring 8 factors that got here on 3-for-14 capturing towards Houston. The No. 55 decide of the previous NBA Draft stated that he’ll welcome any task given to him in his first marketing campaign as a basketball skilled.
However, 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 time 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 decide 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 couple of.1 steals per recreation.
James Jr., then again, suffered three turnovers that night time and struggled on offense typically. After three Summer time League shows, together with each California Basic clashes, the 19-year-old is dropping 23.1% of his photographs total, 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 massive leagues and is displaying promise for the longer term.
“Shoot, he’s going to have an extended profession,” stated Johnson, who primarily coaches the South Bay Lakers within the G League. “That is just the start. We simply preserve instilling [confidence], preserve that of their heads. So we’ve bought an extended option to go. I don’t find out 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 shopper isn’t occupied with 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 decide led the Los Angeles staff with 25 factors on 9-for-18 capturing (5-for-11 from 3), 6 rebounds and 4 assists towards Houston, James Jr. nonetheless has loads to show.
His agent Wealthy Paul even advised 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 bought the phrase out early to groups that for those who plan on bringing Bronny in, right here’s what you want to know: If you happen to received’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 complete in the course of the Summer time League), and guarded Rockets rookie Reed Shepard all through the competition.
“I’ve identified Reed since fifth grade,” James Jr. stated concerning the No. 3 decide of the Draft. “I do know he’s a shooter, so I used to be simply attempting to get in his physique and forestall these 3-balls from going up. I used to be attempting to choose him up full court docket and displaying my effort to the GM and coaches.”
