Bronny James created headlines in the course of the Summer season League matchup in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks.
It was not only for dealing with primary decide Cooper Flagg, however for his tenacious defensive efficiency. The younger Lakers guard confirmed hustle and dedication whereas guarding the generational expertise.
Flagg struggled considerably below Bronny’s defensive stress, managing solely 10 factors on a horrible 23.8% taking pictures efficiency.
The Duke product failed to attach on any of his 5 three-point makes an attempt, marking a troublesome debut in opposition to decided protection.
Bronny James confronted his personal offensive challenges, scoring simply eight factors on 25% taking pictures. His missed three-pointer within the ultimate seconds that might have secured victory for the Lakers highlighted his taking pictures inconsistencies.
Regardless of the offensive struggles, Bronny’s defensive effort in opposition to a participant labeled as generational created vital reward.
He confirmed numerous promise within the space that he actually needs to enhance. Lakers analyst Mike Bresnahan mentioned that Bronny has numerous confidence within the moments that matter most.
“I did like, Bronny taking that final shot, Lakers down, winding down eight seconds left, when he acquired the ball in his fingers above the arc. He’s like, ‘that is my shot’. He didn’t make it however the mindset, yeah, let’s win the sport. I’m going to do that.”
Bresnahan seen vital bodily growth for the reason that Lakers’ season ended.
“And speaking to him final week, he’s a really assured younger man, and he’s been engaged on stuff simply in a number of months for the reason that Lakers season ended, and we noticed an excellent glimpse of that. You possibly can inform there’s extra energy there, and he’s performed about 21-22 minutes.”
The analyst believes Bronny’s improved conditioning indicators expectations for a much bigger function subsequent season. The 20-year-old guard’s give attention to bodily preparation suggests he’s getting ready for elevated tasks.
“He was very, very upfront. I mentioned, what have you ever labored on essentially the most since we final noticed you? ‘Conditioning’ is what he mentioned.
“So possibly he’s anticipating a much bigger function for the Lakers, or at the very least hoping for a much bigger function,” Bresnahan defined.
Bronny’s rookie marketing campaign produced unpromising numbers: 2.3 factors, 0.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.3 steals per sport. Nonetheless, his growth trajectory confirmed promise all through the season.
The guard demonstrated enchancment throughout his G League stint and recorded his first double-digit NBA sport with 17 factors in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks final March. These flashes of potential recommend room for progress in his second season.
If Bronny continues creating his defensive depth whereas sharpening his taking pictures mechanics, he may earn extra taking part in time alongside his father LeBron James subsequent season.
The Summer season League efficiency in opposition to Flagg offers a basis for optimism about his defensive ceiling.
