The atmosphere in Las Vegas was electric, heavily in favor of Bronny. Fans at the Thomas & Mack Center erupted with cheers as he took to the court before the Lakers faced off against the Celtics. Every shot he made, steal he executed, and rebound he grabbed elicited enthusiastic reactions from the crowd.
“It’s definitely an exciting environment in Vegas, as it has always been during my visits, even when I’m not playing,” Bronny remarked. “It’s challenging to gauge which fans are genuine and who are just joking around. I focus on staying grounded. I wasn’t in peak shape coming in, but I performed better than last year, which makes me happy.”
Bronny’s approach has centered on playing hard, enhancing his skills, and establishing his presence. “I’m more physical now compared to when I was drafted last year, during my time at USC and high school,” he shared, having averaged 14.3 points over four summer games in Las Vegas.
“I need to get consistent repetitions, play over 30 minutes, and refine my game. Mistakes are part of the process,” he added. “My confidence is definitely higher compared to last year. It’s been a gradual improvement.”
An interesting exchange occurred between James and Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez, as they exchanged playful jabs. Despite complimenting Gonzalez, James demonstrated confidence in his defensive capabilities and his strength against him while running the point. “He’s a great player, and I respect those who play. But I have to do what I need to do, and I felt he couldn’t keep up with me in the full court,” James noted.
Overall, it was a fruitful summer league for James, although he still needs to work on his shooting and decision-making, committing eight turnovers in the game against the Celtics and shooting only 30 percent from the three-point line across four games. There is potential for him to take on a third guard role in JJ Redick’s system. James’s next goal is to establish himself as a reliable floor leader and playmaker.
“I’m focused on improving my ball-handling skills, and everything else will fall into place,” he expressed. “I am comfortable playing off the ball, but having the ball in my hands most of the time significantly aids my development.”
