The Los Angeles Lakers’ run in the 2024 NBA Summer League California Classic is now over after suffering an 80-76 loss on Wednesday to the Miami Heat. As usual, a lot of eyes followed Bronny James, this year’s 55th overall NBA draft pick.
Normally, players selected that late in the draft don’t command much attention, but since he’s the son of future Hall of Famer and Lakers forward LeBron James, Bronny is enjoying the fame of a lottery pick. His production in the Summer League, however, is nothing to write home about. Against the Heat, James scored three points in 29 minutes.
With that, Bronny’s detractors are having the time of their lives criticizing and mocking his performance in the Summer League. However, not everyone is on the Bronny haters’ wagon.
Others think that Bronny’s paltry scoring production shouldn’t define his entire showing in the Miami game at least. For one, he contributed in other areas, recording three assists, five rebounds, and two steals. He had a plus-minus of +8.
“Bronny James had 2 steals, 3 blocks and was a +8 which was 2nd on the team but the only thing the media will talk about is that he had 3 points,” BKSecretsports said on X. “They will not add context or tell you that he only shot 3 shots in today’s game. Somehow his summer league game is being talked about more than anybody else. People continue to critique him like he’s the #1 pick in this year’s draft, then say he doesn’t deserve to be in this position. Choose a side.”
Bronny James had 2 steals, 3 blocks and was a +8 which was 2nd on the team but the only thing the media will talk about is that he had 3 points. They will not add context or tell you that he only shot 3 shots in today’s game. Somehow his summer league game is being talked about…
— BKS (@BKSecretsports) July 11, 2024
“The s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 is there,” another follower said on X. “The mindset and how he approaches the game has to be tweaked. Shoot the ball. Simple…I’m sure you still can’t comprehend that. But doesn’t hurt for me to try to teach ball to people who don’t know it.”
Bronny James had 2 steals, 3 blocks and was a +8 which was 2nd on the team but the only thing the media will talk about is that he had 3 points. They will not add context or tell you that he only shot 3 shots in today’s game. Somehow his summer league game is being talked about…
— BKS (@BKSecretsports) July 11, 2024
“Bronny James had a really good Defensive game, but people will troll you about him only having 3pts (on 3 shots) and falling to the floor. He also had 2 stls and 3 blks if you want some 𝓈ℯ𝓍y $tats.”
Bronny James had a really good Defensive game, but people will troll you about him only having 3pts (on 3 shots) and falling to the floor.
He also had 2 stls and 3 blks if you want some 𝓈ℯ𝓍y $tats. pic.twitter.com/BQIWXjA1YV
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) July 11, 2024
“Bronny James will be a good NBA player in a few years. Once he learns who he wants to be offensively (likely becoming a catch/shoot guy), with his incredible defense, he will take off.”
“The way Bronny plays defense is reason alone for why he deserves this opportunity. If he develops a good offensive game, people’s agendas are going to be completely cooked.”
“Bronny James does have a couple basketball characteristics like his dad. Like the way he dribbles when he’s pushing the ball and also how he moves his feet on defense.”
In two games played in the Summer League, Bronny averaged 3.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 25.0 percent from the field.
