Jul 6, 2024; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James Jr. (9) controls the ball in opposition to Sacramento Kings guard Dane Goodwin (33) through the third quarter at Chase Heart. Necessary Credit score: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports activities Bronny James will make his second professional look Sunday evening in opposition to the Golden State Warriors’ summer time league crew, and the Los Angeles Lakers rookie admitted the nerves received to him in his debut Saturday.
James scored 4 factors on 2-for-9 capturing within the Lakers’ 108-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings within the California Traditional. He added two assists, two rebounds and a steal in 22 minutes of play.
“Each first sport that I step into the subsequent stage, it is at all times some butterflies in my abdomen,” the 19-year-old advised reporters, per ESPN. “However as quickly because the ball ideas and we go a pair instances down, all of it goes away and I am simply taking part in basketball. So it is at all times going to be there, however I am going to get by means of it.”
The Lakers chosen Bronny — formally generally known as LeBron James Jr. — with the No. 55 choose of final month’s NBA draft. His well-known dad, additionally his Lakers’ teammate, wasn’t there and will not be available for Sunday’s sport in San Francisco. He is in Las Vegas with different NBA stars getting ready for to play for Workforce USA within the Paris Olympics later this month.
Nonetheless, the elder James stored an eye fixed on his son.
“What he does within the California Traditional and summer time league, it would not matter if he performs nicely and it would not matter if he would not play nicely,” LeBron mentioned, per ESPN. “I simply need him to proceed to develop (from) practices, movie periods, his particular person exercises. You may’t take something stat-wise from the California Traditional and summer time league and convey it to as soon as the season begins. So, the one factor that issues is him getting higher and stacking days.”
Dane Johnson, the coach of the Lakers’ G League affiliate, is in command of the summer time league crew. He mentioned the plan is for Bronny to get his possibilities to study. Bronny, a guard, has performed one season — 25 video games — of faculty ball at Southern California after struggling cardiac arrest throughout a summer time exercise final July.
“He’ll play — granted, if he is wholesome — all through this complete factor,” Johnson mentioned of Bronny’s summer time league schedule. “We will attempt to combine him and attempt to get him as many reps as we will. As a result of he wants extra expertise taking part in. And particularly the NBA sport. It is a bit of totally different than faculty, so getting reps within the NBA, in an NBA setting with good gamers will assist him in the long term.”
Dalton Knecht, chosen by the Lakers within the first spherical with the No. 17 choose, shot 3-for-12 and scored 12 factors.
After Sunday, the Lakers will conclude California Traditional play Wednesday in opposition to the Miami Warmth, then start play within the Las Vegas portion of the summer time league on Friday in opposition to the Houston Rockets.
–Discipline Stage Media
