Bronny James finally made his highly anticipated NBA debut on Saturday, but it was a modest debut. We’re being kind and patient, but it was definitely modest.
The rookie scored four points in his first game of the Summer League, where the Los Angeles Lakers were defeated by the Sacramento Kings 108-94 in the California Classic.
Let’s be real. It was his FIRST game. He threw a four pass and ended up with his ankles crossed. Yes, it was bad but it was his FIRST game. Let’s give the kid some breathing room. But the crossover he caught was crazy. Still, he survived.
But the numbers don’t lie.
James spent 21 minutes on the court, contributing two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
His shots were off target, he made only 2 of 9 shots, missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc and failed to convert both of his free throws.
Look, his first NBA points came on a layup in the second quarter, followed by a step-back shot from mid-range.
Although his father, LeBron James, was unable to attend the game due to his commitments with the United States basketball team, he showed his support from afar. LeBron watched a clip of Bronny’s early points and praised his son for his “toughness.”
Okay, this is so cool. His dad/teammate is showing him love while training for Team USA in preparation for the Olympics. It’s crazy.
The game saw Kings point guard Adonis Arms, who was not drafted in 2022 but has two seasons of G League experience, lead with 32 points and 11 rebounds. THIS should be history. Adonis Arms. He’s an NBA name if ever there was one.
Guard Antoine Davis added 20 points as a backup for Sacramento. It’s not much, he just scored 20 points.
For the Lakers, forward Blake Hinson led the way with 17 points as a substitute, shooting 5 of 7 from three-point range. Guard Tommy Kuhse added 15 points and eight assists, while center Colin Castleton chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Bronny’s teammates had solid performances, but he was the center of attention. His last name is history.
In case you missed it, last week Bronny signed a multi-year guaranteed contract with the Lakers, getting a four-year, $7.9 million deal on Wednesday.
