Bronny James watched from the sidelines on Saturday as the Los Angeles Lakers decided they had seen enough from the NBA’s most talked-about rookie.
He finished the Summer League on a positive note after a rough start, scoring 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting in his last two games. This included hitting 3 of 8 three-pointers, a big improvement after missing all 15 attempts in his first four games.
“He had two good games to finish,” said Lakers Summer League coach Dane Johnson. “It’ll give him confidence going into the summer so we can work on different aspects of his game. He’s gaining confidence and realizing he can compete at this level. It’ll take time and a lot of practice.”
Some fans were disappointed to see James benched, even chanting “We want Bronny” during the Lakers’ 107-81 win over the Chicago Bulls.
During Summer League play in San Francisco and Las Vegas, LeBron James’ son struggled initially, shooting just 7 for 31 overall. This led to speculation that the Lakers had drafted him only because of his famous father.
However, James quieted some critics with strong showings against the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers later in the week.
“In general, he stays focused on basketball and being part of the team,” Johnson noted. “He’s a good kid who listens and wants to improve.”
There’s still much for James to develop. Standing at 6-foot-2, he has the physique of a point guard but currently plays shooting guard due to concerns about his ball handling. This might pose challenges against taller opponents in his position.
“I think right now he’s more of a shooting guard, but I think he could also play as a combo guard,” Johnson commented. “He learns quickly. We introduce plays and defensive strategies, and he picks them up fast. He could potentially transition to playing point guard. Maybe we’ll focus on that in the summer, but for now, being a secondary playmaker suits him.”
James also needs to demonstrate consistent shooting from the perimeter, and while his strong finish to the summer shows promise, it doesn’t erase all doubts.
The Lakers will likely take a gradual approach with him, allowing James to refine his skills in the G League. However, he will also have opportunities to play with the main team, and the Lakers understand the excitement he will generate when he makes his debut.
No NBA game has ever featured a father and son playing together, a rarity in major North American sports.
In baseball, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. shared the field with the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991. In the 1970s and ’80s, hockey great Gordie Howe played alongside his sons Marty and Mark for the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s Hartford Whalers.
For the James family, being part of this exclusive group is something they deeply appreciate, especially after Bronny’s health scare last summer. He suffered cardiac arrest during a workout at USC, requiring surgery for a congenital heart condition that delayed the start of his college basketball career with the Trojans.
During his one season at USC, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists before deciding to enter the NBA draft instead of returning to college.
