The Los Angeles Lakers have decided to end Bronny James’ Summer League stint after two promising performances, signaling they’ve seen enough from the high-profile rookie. James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, finished his Summer League run on an upward trajectory after a challenging start.
In his final two games, James scored 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including 3 of 8 from 3-point range. This marked a significant improvement from his first four games, where he went 0 for 15 from beyond the arc.
Lakers Summer League coach Dane Johnson commented on James’ progress, saying, “He had two pretty good games last two. I think it’s just going to help him going into the summer so we can work on different things with him. Just that confidence and knowing he can play at this level.”
Despite fan disappointment at James’ absence in Saturday’s game against the Chicago Bulls, briefly chanting “We want Bronny,” the Lakers stuck to their decision. Johnson emphasized James’ resilience, stating, “In general, he doesn’t let any of that stuff get to him. He just wants to play basketball and be on a team.”
James’ Summer League performance has been a topic of intense scrutiny. Initially shooting 7 for 31 overall in stints in San Francisco and Las Vegas, he faced criticism that the Lakers had wasted their 55th pick. However, his final two games have quieted some of these concerns.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are likely to bring James along slowly, potentially giving him time in the G League to refine his skills. At 6-foot-2, James has played as a shooting guard in Summer League, though questions remain about his ideal position in the NBA.
The possibility of James sharing an NBA court with his father LeBron adds an extra layer of intrigue to his development. If it happens, they would join a rare group of father-son duos to play together in major North American sports.
James’ journey to the NBA has been marked by perseverance, particularly following a cardiac arrest incident last summer that required surgery. His progress in Summer League, despite a rocky start, suggests a promising future as he continues to develop his game at the professional level.
AP
