Despite the presence of numerous sports officials, fans at the Thomas & Mack Center remained captivated by Bronnie James, even amid the intense Lakers-Clippers rivalry game. The magnetic appeal of James, alongside his father LeBron James watching from the baseline, stood out, attracting attention despite the attendance of notable figures like Steve Ballmer, Tyrone Lou, JJ Redick, and Rob Pelinka.
Even with stars like Austin Raves, DeAndre Ayton, and Kawhi Leonard observing, Bronnie James held the spotlight once more. Though James delivered one of his stronger NBA Summer League performances, the Clippers secured a 67-58 win on Monday night in Las Vegas. In 24 minutes and 17 seconds, James tallied 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists, shooting six for ten from the field and three for five from beyond the arc.
He expressed joy in feeling the support from his family and teammates, saying, "It definitely gave me a bit of a boost to see them cheering for me and my teammates. It’s great to go to the gym with them."
Clippers forward Jordan Miller was the standout player, putting up 19 points and seven rebounds, helping the Clippers maintain an undefeated 3-0 record in the summer league. His crucial three-pointer established a lead in the fourth quarter that the Clippers never relinquished, with nine of the last 11 points scored by Miller.
Assistant coach Jeremy Castleberry commended the team’s effort, especially given it was the second consecutive game they played, saying, "We did what we needed to do." Bronnie James opened the scoring with a three-pointer and added a step-back three in the second quarter, contributing 12 points in the first half on 4-of-4 shooting. He also nailed a three in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 51-51.
James acknowledged his growth and confidence, stating, "I feel like I’ve been getting more confident over the past half-year. I’m going to keep growing and maintain the right mindset."
The Lakers struggled offensively, shooting 34.4% overall, 30% from three, and just 38.5% from the free-throw line, coupled with 19 turnovers. Assistant coach Lindsay Harding noted signs of fatigue, attributing it partly to it being their sixth summer game, including three at the California Classic in San Francisco. Harding praised James for his energy and readiness throughout, highlighting his defense and ability to manage pick-and-roll plays effectively.
The excitement extended beyond James, as Clippers rookie Yannick Conan Niederhauser electrified the crowd with a powerful dunk over Cole Swider in the third quarter. Niederhauser had a solid performance with 10 points, two rebounds, and two steals in 23 minutes.
This story was originally featured in the Los Angeles Times.
Fan Take: Bronnie James’ performance highlights the growing legacy of basketball greatness and the emergence of new talent in the NBA Summer League. For fans, his progress offers a thrilling glimpse into the future of the sport, where the next generation is ready to take the spotlight and elevate the game to new heights.
