Hot Takes on Lakers’ Bronny James, Dalton Knecht vs. Celtics
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJuly 16, 2024
Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
Monday’s Summer League game was one to forget for Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Boston Celtics cruised to an 88-74 victory over Los Angeles as the USC product’s struggles continued with another lackluster showing while playing under the additional attention that comes with being the son of the legendary LeBron James.
The younger James finished with two points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field. While he added three rebounds, he also went 0-of-3 from three-point range and is yet to hit a shot from deep during Summer League play.
James is playing with far more pressure than a normal late-second-round pick given his family affiliations and the scrutiny that brings, but Lakers fans were surely hoping to see more signs of his potential than this in the summer.
Social media reacted to his performance:
year 22 @johnrivers131Bronny is 3 years away from being 3 years away
BL@ZEâą @followingblazeBronny James is equivalent to a starting Division 2 shooting guard playing in the NBA . Compared to the average person he’s really good, but among NBA or even G league talent he’s just simply out classed ..it is what it is .
j @lockedupjbThe idea of bronny playing with Lebron may have ruined his chance at being a solid nba player because bronny should’ve stayed 1-2 more years in college then went to the nba
JJ Redick’s Clipboard @BrucePurnell113I really don’t understand playing Bronny off ball. Especially when none of your PG’s are making the NBA. Makes zero sense.
TRT Promotions đ @The1stWrightI’m still baffled folks didn’t see this coming with BronnyâŠ
Like what did y’all honestly see at any level that said he was ready for the NBA?
MatasMuse @matasbmuseRooting for Bronny but he just hasn’t looked like an NBA caliber player at any point. Everyone had that moment where we knew we ain’t making it to the league and LeBron has been artificially extending that window for him. At what point does everyone else stop playing along?
Los Angeles fans can at least take solace knowing the team’s other 2024 draft pick looks well on his way to being a contributor as soon as his rookie season.
Dalton Knecht, who was the No. 17 overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft, finished with 19 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists while flashing with a number of impressive plays.
The Tennessee product drew praise from social media:
NBA @NBADALTON KNECHT THROWDOWN đ„
Up to 19 points in #NBA2KSummerLeague action on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/LGiW7Ztuhd
NBA @NBAThe hang, the control…
TOUGH. https://t.co/IzrsJPKWA9 pic.twitter.com/5gLhCshUQG
đđđ€đ @SixthManJakeDalton Knecht looks like the only nba ready player on the Lakers summer league roster.
He will have a fantastic rookie season.
Lakers Legacy @LakersLegacyPodOh man, Dalton Knecht is just relentless.
Doesn’t matter how ugly of a game he’s having.
He’s going to find a way to keep being aggressive, keep shooting, and find a way to be effective.
Great quality to have.
D.O.C @darwinchvz320Knecht is NBA ready.
The Lakers Chip @LakerschippDalton Knecht needs to play a lot in preseason like 30+ minutes because once he gets comfortable with Bron and AD he’s gonna be a problem
That Frank Sinatra Guy đ€ @MatthewASopranoAnyways Dalton Knecht might be nice
While James is going to make more headlines at this point of their careers, Knecht is the rookie who is far more likely to be an impact player for the Purple and Gold in their rookie seasons.
He can help anchor the second unit with his outside shooting and ability to get to the basket, which could be just the spark needed to help Los Angeles compete in the loaded Western Conference and provide enough support for the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Knecht looked the part of an important rookie Monday even in defeat.
