Bronny James’ star power wipes top NBA draft picks as crowd fill out 18,000 arena

Bronny James is playing in the Summer League to acclimatize to the NBA game.

Bronny James’ star power wipes top NBA draft picks as crowd fill out 18,000 arena

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James' star power wipes top NBA draft picks as crowd fill out 18,000 arena

The NBA might have known for a while the impact that Bronny James can have on the game. Not in terms of a player, but just in pure marketing terms. His NIL deals, social media following, etc., have all pointed to the fact that he can pull crowds. However, they might not have expected the Los Angeles Lakers to do something in pure income terms so soon.

The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas hosted 3 Summer League games today. The second one was between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, and one between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards just after that. A video captured the fans seated inside the 18,000-seater arena. The first part of the clip shows the Lakers-Rockets game playing out to a packed audience. In the very next game between the Hawks and the Wizards, only a handful of fans were seated.

YouTube video

That is, despite that very game having the No.1 and 2 overall picks from the 2024 NBA Draft. It is proof that even though he is a late second-round pick, LeBron James‘ son can pull an arena full of fans. It is something that has never been seen before.

FS Video

This was also evident when most of the media outlets were talking about Bronny James and his draft prospects soon after he declared. They discussed to the extent that his draft stock was the hottest topic during the NBA Finals. It even led his father’s friend, Kendrick Perkins, to ask his employer, ESPN, to slow down on the coverage of a second round pick.

Bronny James has a lot of work to do on game

So far, Bronny James has played in 3 Summer League games. In none of them has he managed to score consistently. Those questions have started to pick up pace among fans as he is starting games as opposed to other players who are contributing much better from the bench. That said, the Los Angeles Lakers believe in his high ceiling.

They know he needs that coaching to develop properly, something that he did not happen at USC. Under new head coach JJ Redick and his coaching staff, James Jr. has the chance of a lifetime to develop into the solid 3-and-D player he was touted to be. If he can improve his shot selection and get to his spots better, he could score much more than the measly 5 points he is currently averaging.

Those 5 points will be harder to achieve in the NBA against experienced men. Therefore, he has to improve fast so that he can help his father, LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers must overcome their lack of off-season additions. As such, someone like Bronny stepping up can go a long way.

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