What we want to see from Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James for rest of NBA Summer League
Duane RankinLAS VEGAS — We’ve seen enough of Bronny James in NBA Summer League to have a real conversation about where he is right now.
Not where he’s been. We know his story, his dad and all the pressures that come with being the son of arguably the best basketball player of all time, LeBron James.
Not where he’s going. That’s to be determined. The Los Angeles Lakers signing him to a four-year deal for $7.9 million suggests they’re committed to seeing if he can become an NBA player.
Right now, he’s a 6-1 guard who hardly has played with any flow on offense, showing loose handles resulting in turnovers and an unwillingness to bring the ball up the court and having issues on defense.
James had perhaps his worst game this summer league in Monday’s 88-74 loss to the Boston Celtics — two points on 1-of-5 shooting (0-for-3 from 3), three rebounds, three fouls, two turnovers and one assist.
What makes it look even worse is his teammates are finding a rhythm, showing improvement and looking more comfortable on the court. They seem to have a chemistry and connection while James just floats around or stands in the corner on offense and is not nearly as engaged as his teammates are with each other.
James isn’t the first player to struggle, and won’t be the last, but he’s being called out for it more than most late second-round picks. He's getting crushed on social media and by analysts, but the narrative that everybody wants him to fail is false.
He received the most applause during the pregame introductions Monday. The loudest cheer of the night came on his one basket, a 16-foot jumper to beat the shot clock, with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter.
James has supporters, but he looked bad on Monday. He can’t change what’s happened, but this is what we want and need to see from him for the remainder of his time in the summer league.
Continue guarding primary ball handlers
JD Davison got the better of him at times on Monday, as he should. He has two NBA seasons under his belt while James is just five months removed from his last college game at USC to end a freshman season that started later for him after having a cardiac arrest nearly a year ago on July 24.
Davison hit a fading sideways floater over him, but James needs to face guys like him who can not only handle the ball, but have heavy usage and work off screens.
If defense is going to be his superpower, James needs the experience of picking up point guards full court. The Lakers should have him continue to defend those types even if he gives up a basket or picks up a foul.
Jrue Holiday yields baskets, but what makes him an elite defender is his discipline, and ability to adjust and focus on the next play.
James needs more defensive reps to grow, learn and improve on that end.
More drives, more off the double
It’s almost as if James is playing on the court with his dad and Anthony Davis instead of first-round pick Dalton Knecht and Colin Castleton.
Just stand in the corner and wait for the pass to take a 3.
Look, the guy is blanking shots. He’s 0-for-15 from 3 in his four summer league games. Not against him taking the shot. It’s what the league is, but James is doing windmill dunks in pregame warmups.
Yeah, he’s just 6-1, but is very athletic.
Just once, let’s see him catch the ball, go left, get back to his strong right hand and get into the lane for a floater, layup or hell, look to punch one over a big man.
The one time James looked to drive off the catch Monday, guess what? He was whistled for stepping out of bounds in the corner.
We understand NBA teams like their summer league squads to run the same offense, but James could use a jolt of energy to get him going. It looked like he expected a lob pass on the first play of the game Monday based on how he was in launch mode in the lane and his reaction to the ball not coming.
Now, he will make the right play. The extra pass. However, James isn’t showing the ability to create off the bounce and either score or find a teammate. At his size, those skills should be in his bag and if they are, James has yet to unleash them this summer.
More energy, hustle plays
James broke up a lob pass early in Monday’s game with a leaping play that showed his athleticism and anticipation. Need to see more of that from him.
Steals in the passing lane. Hustling back on defense.
Tracking down offensive rebounds. Diving for 50-50 balls.
Running the floor in transition because it can lead to a bucket to get him going. Nothing is coming easy on offense, but James needs to create opportunities for himself.
Look, he doesn’t have to scream, yell and pump his fist. James gives off a very even demeanor, not too high, not too low, but you don’t feel his energy or presence on the court.
He’s just drifting, but James can impact the game beyond scoring and defense.
Show some physicality
Rich Paul is correct.
James’ agent talked on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ Tuesday about this as an opportunity to build good habits.
Totally agree, but James is pretty well put together physically. Would like to see him impose that on dudes.
On defense, press up even more to the point the ball handler has to discard with his off arm. That’s what Lu Dort does better than anyone. He makes the guy he’s guarding uncomfortable.
On offense, get into the paint and draw contact to get to the line. He shouldn’t be just a spot-up shooter with his level of athleticism and strength.
Bronny James is in a tough spot, but that’s part of being a professional athlete, especially one who is the son of one of the best to ever do it.
There should be expectations. Right now, he looks like a player who could’ve used another year in college, but it’s hard to pass up on a chance to make history by being the first father-son to play in the NBA on the same team.
It’s a storybook, but the current chapter he’s writing reads like a tragic tale of a player who looks like he’s in over his head, but he has an opportunity to change the current narrative. How James goes about doing so is what makes this all so fascinating.
We’re all watching, whether we want to admit it or not, to either root for him or hope he misses more 3s and commits more turnovers. The Lakers' next game Wednesday against Atlanta in Vegas can’t get here soon enough.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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