James, 19, made 2 of 5 shots from beyond the 3-point arc (his first two with the Lakers), as he reached double-digits for the first time as a professional .
“Just tried to forget about all the shots I missed, forget all the games we lost,” he told ESPN after the win in an on-court interview. “Just come out and play my game and try to do my best every time I come out on the court.”
The son of LeBron James started the fourth quarter on the bench, but entered with 5:26 left in the game.
A little less than two minutes later, Bronny hit his biggest shot of the game, nailing a 3-pointer to tie the proceedings at 79 apiece.
That came two quarters after he nailed the first 3-pointer of his career, something he said he was excited about after the one-point win.
Bronny James Jr. shoots over the Emmitt Matthews Jr. in the first half of the Lakers’ 87-86 Summer League win over the Hawks. Getty Images
“Really good, felt really good,” James said of his first trey with a big smile.
James, who had totaled just 15 points in three summer league games, has been facing criticism from pundits and fans alike early in his pro career, thanks in no small part to his connection to one of the NBA’s all-time great.
“People are looking at him as if he’s a top-10 pick,” the NBA reporter said. “He’s not a top-10 pick, he’s a No. 55 pick. The expectations for a No. 55 pick should largely that you’re headed to the G League and may get some games up in the NBA. Last year’s No. 55 pick played four total minutes in the NBA.
Bronny James Jr. dribbles the ball past Hawks’ Moses Wood during the first half of the Lakers’ win. Getty Images
“To evaluate Bronny next to top-10 picks versus what other guys at No. 55 have done is totally unfair.”
The Lakers next play the Hawks on Wednesday night.
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