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Baxter Holmes, ESPN Senior Writer
LAS VEGAS — On the first play of the game, the Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Brony James Thomas curled off a screen and sank a 17-foot pull-up jumper, drawing roars from the Lakers-friendly crowd at Mack Center.
That shot provided much-needed relief for James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, who struggled through his first four summer league games, averaging 4.3 points on a 22.6% field goal percentage, including missing 15 of his 3s. Point attempts.
Struggles for son LeBron James His play drew attention in two games in the California Classic in San Francisco and the Lakers’ first three games in Las Vegas, with his every move scrutinized and the crowd booing every time he missed. Shot or pass the ball.
On Wednesday, the Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 87-86 to get their first summer league win of 2024, snapping an 0-5 start. And the younger James played his best game yet, finishing with 9 points in the first half — on 5-of-11 shooting, sinking 2 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc. James sank a clutch 3-pointer late in the game to tie the score, and the Lakers secured the victory with a defensive stop in the final seconds.
„I feel like I know the right way to play,” James said. „So if I go out and play every game, results like that will come.”
In a way, this marks the 19-year-old James’ first NBA win of any kind.
„My mom and dad really help me, focus and encourage me to be myself,” James said, calling them his support system. “So that was a big part of how I came out [tonight].”
He noted that his father has been watching from overseas while with Team USA and that the elder James has offered advice.
„Be aggressive,” James told his father. „Being aggressive, even if my shot isn’t falling.”
James acknowledged the crowd’s presence and overall impact, adding that he leans more on his family and that he’s „trying to stay clean.”
„It’s something,” he said with a smile of all the attention, „but it’s something I have to deal with if I’m going to play at this level.”
Zachary RichardThe Hawks’ No. 1 overall pick was out of the game, as was the Lakers’ first-round draft pick. Dalton Neck.
Lakers center Colin Castleton Led the team with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Castleton praised how James handled all the outside scrutiny throughout summer league.
„I think he’s stepping into a good role,” Castleton said. „It’s going to take a while. There’s a lot of pressure on him, a lot of things. So he’s got a great mindset. He’s a great kid, a great teammate, and we love having him around. Everyone in the organization loves being around him, so he made great shots tonight. , so he got a good rhythm, but he copes with the pressure.
James’ performance followed the Lakers’ summer league loss to Boston on Monday, the Celtics star at the time. Jaylen Brown Sitting courtside, WNBA players Kisre Kondreczyk and „I don’t think Broney is a pro,” was recorded in a viral social media post. Angel ReeseThose who were sitting near him.
Brown tried to clarify the viral video Social Media Post on Xwrites, „Having your son in the NBA with you is a blessing. It represents greatness and longevity! Brony has all the tools around him to succeed. I look forward to his growth.”
Rich Paul, CEO of Clutch Sports and agent for both LeBron and Brony James, responded to Brown’s viral video in an appearance Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN.
„You can’t take everybody’s opinion and try to turn it against him or think he’s a bad person,” Paul said, „at least. [Brown] Someone who is really in the league. There are a lot of 'experts’ who are not experts; He is truly an expert with expertise. So, if he has that opinion, he can say that opinion. I know Jaylan. I know he didn’t say that with any malice. He was talking.”
Paul also supported James.
„Look, I think all these guys are in development,” Paul said. „Bronie’s no different. He’s not going to be left out of development. Obviously, he wants to make shots and I know he’s going to make shots, but again, it’s about building better habits. I think. Playing at the league level will be a defensive end, which he’s very good at right now. There is
„The other elements of the game, he has to get better and he will. Look, Broney is a passionate player. He plays the game of basketball because it’s his passion. So I don’t see summer league as the end. Even if he averages 30 [points] Or did he average 3?
„My mom and dad really help me, focus and encourage me to be myself. So I feel like that’s a big part of how I came out. [tonight].”
Brony James
Dan Johnson, the Lakers’ summer league coach, believed James’ performance would only boost his confidence and reiterated the team’s confidence in his shooting.
„He had the same shots before and he just missed them,” Johnson said. „So we’re going to encourage him to take them.”
Johnson later added, „If he’s open, if we have an open catch and shoot [shot], we want him to shoot everyone together. We are looking for open catch and shoot 3s. Even if they don’t believe in you, believe in yourself.”
After the game, James was asked about playing with his father this coming season.
„Yeah, I mean, it’s a big step for both of us,” he said. “I feel like I’m playing together [and] Working together every day is going to build on the relationship we already have. Build that connection, maybe even stronger. But I am happy to work with my dad.
What is James most looking forward to?
„Practically the opposite of each other,” he said with a smile.
The Lakers have two scheduled summer league games remaining in Las Vegas: Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Saturday against the Chicago Bulls.