Bronny James believes if he plays his natural game in every match, results will follow. James Jr. struggled in the first four summer league games, averaging 4.3 points with a 22.6% field goal percentage, including missing all 15 of his 3-point attempts.
However, he was able to bring his best in the fifth game, finishing with 12 points — 9 in the first half — on 5-of-11 shooting, including sinking 2 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc in Lakers’ 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and thus turning the tables. This is the first win for the Lakers in the summer league.
“I feel like I know the right way to play,” James said. “So if I go out there and play my game every game, results like that will come.”
The 19-year-old, who was selected as the 55th pick in the NBA draft, said his parents have been motivating him.
“My mom, my dad really help me, encouraging me to stay focused and keep being myself,” James said, calling his parents his support system. “So I feel like that’s a big part of how I came out [tonight].”
Speaking on the advice he has received from his father LeBron James, Jr. James said, “‘Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn’t been falling, just staying aggressive.”
James has been under the pump after the signing and being LeBron’s son, he is the cynosure of all eyes. The youngster added he is trying his best to remain sane.
“It’s something,” he said with a smile of all the attention, “but it’s something I’ve got to deal with if I’m going to play at this level.”
Lakers center Colin Castleton led the team with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals and he also showered praise on Bronny James.
“I think he’s stepping into a good role,” Castleton said. “It takes a little bit of time. He has a lot of pressure, a lot of things on him. So he has a great mindset. He’s a great kid, great teammate, and we love being around him. Everybody in the organization loves being around him and he took great shots tonight and just got a good rhythm. So that was the biggest thing for him. Getting a good rhythm, but he’s dealing with the pressure.”
