In his most notable performance of the Summer League, Bronny James made a significant contribution to the Los Angeles Lakers’ narrow 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks. James scored 12 points, hitting 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point range.
Bronny’s summer league run has been a rocky one, averaging just 4.3 points and shooting 22.6 percent from three-point range through his first three games. Despite missing 15 three-pointers, his recent performance marks a promising turnaround.
Drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny joins his iconic father, LeBron James, on the court. The young player has faced intense scrutiny, with many questioning his readiness for the NBA. However, his performance against the Hawks is a step toward silencing his critics.
Skip Bayless, on the show Undisputedhe praised Bronny’s performance, noting that he “finally saw a basketball player who seemed right for that role.”
Bayless emphasized Bronny’s importance in forging his own identity, separate from his father’s shadow. He praised Bronny’s comfort and confidence, especially considering he agreed to be mic’d up for ESPN, proving he was ready to be seen as Bronny, not just LeBron James Jr.
Bayless also stressed that Bronny needs more playing time to reach his potential, criticizing the limited 5 minutes and 26 seconds he played in the fourth quarter. Co-host Paul Pierce agreed, noting that Bronny is starting to play with more confidence and needs to keep making shots to get out of any slumps.
Pierce shared his personal experience, saying that sometimes seeing just one shot go in can change things. He is eager to see more from Bronny, especially in rebounding and play.
Keyshawn Johnson expressed his satisfaction with Bronny’s performance, saying it made him believe in Bronny’s potential as a player. Colin Cowherd, however, took a more measured stance on The herdwhich suggests that while Bronny isn’t yet a starter in the NBA, he has the athletic potential to excel on defense and thrive in the G League.
Cowherd noted that Bronny’s main challenge is his position. At 6 feet 1 inch, he’s not a natural point guard, which is a limitation. However, Cowherd acknowledged that Bronny is performing as expected: limited offensively but strong defensively, and could become a valuable defensive asset in the NBA over time.
