Bronny James’s Second Summer League Is Turning Heads — Rightfully So

It took one Summer League game, a battle against this year’s top pick, Cooper Flagg, for Bronny James to showcase growth primarily cultivated with the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate.

As his second Sin City stint nears its conclusion, he keeps getting better. That was never more evident than his performance against the Boston Celtics.

James isn’t one to let his on-court struggles faze him. He had six turnovers in a scoreless first half. His highlights from the opening 20 minutes included driving the lane before shoveling the ball to Lakers’ center Christian Koloko for a dunk. He also stripped the ball from Amari Williams as the Celtics’ rookie tried to attack downhill.

However, what was most evident is that, understandably, the 20-year-old guard still has a long way to go as a lead guard and a facilitator.

“If I am consistently confident and bring the ball up and being able to play the one when it’s needed, I think that’ll be good,” expressed James post-game. “Getting those reps over and over again, having the ball in my hand most of the time, is really good for my development.”

Bronny James erupts in second half of Lakers’ clash vs. Celtics

What unfolded after intermission was what the throngs of his fans at the Thomas & Mack Center were hoping to see. James starred in the final two frames.

It started with an impressive drive for a layup with six-foot-four guard Max Shulga pressing him full-court. Later, he worked his way past another defensive menace, Boston’s first-round pick, Hugo Gonzalez. He also drew a foul on the play when the latter tried to poke the ball free from behind.

James was just getting going. He showed off a deft touch on a floater, followed by a steal, sprinting to an overthrown pass to Gonzalez. Then he sent a charge through the building.

The former USC Trojan went behind his back to create separation from a pressing Gonzalez before snapping a crossover dribble and blowing by him for a layup through contact from Kenneth Lofton Jr. He also converted on the ensuing free throw.

Shortly after that came a chorus of MVP chants after he attacked downhill for another layup that turned into an old-school three-point play.

James finished with 18 points, pacing all participants, despite not scoring in the first half. He capitalized on 7/12 field goal attempts, primarily due to making a living around the rim.

The Celtics instructed Gonzalez and Shulga, a pair of pitbulls, to press him 94 feet. It didn’t matter. The former second-round selection looked comfortable handling the ball and whatever Boston threw at him.

James also finished with five assists, matching backcourt mate DJ Steward for a team-high in Los Angeles’s 87-78 loss.

Bronny James is on an encouraging path

In four Summer League appearances, James is averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He’s shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 30 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.6 percent at the free-throw line.

He went 1/4 from three-point range against the Celtics. The six-foot-three guard must improve as a shooter. But the growth of his overall game, especially as a lead guard, makes him worthy of inclusion among those standing out in Las Vegas.

“[It] definitely was a better result than last year, so I’m happy with it,” said James after the game against Boston.

After Monday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, he noted, “It helps that I was in the G-League running point guard most of the time.” James produced 17 points that evening. “Just getting these reps in the Summer League is helping as well,” he voiced. “Just getting more comfortable game by game.”

Maintaining that approach will help him finish his stay in Sin City on a high note. It’s also the compass that will guide him from continued development in the G League to graduating from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract. It’s all part of a journey to maximize his potential that’s continuing to trend in an encouraging direction.