{"id":86780,"date":"2024-07-21T12:50:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-21T16:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=86780"},"modified":"2024-07-21T12:50:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-21T16:50:09","slug":"lakers-summer-league-lessons-from-knecht-bronny-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/21\/lakers-summer-league-lessons-from-knecht-bronny-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Summer League: Lessons From Knecht, Bronny and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Lakers Summer League wrapped up on a high note, with the purple and gold winning their final three games in Vegas behind strong performances. Throughout the two weeks in Las Vegas, several players showed why they deserved to join LA\u2019s roster, and they\u2019ll look to showcase that same growth when training camp begins in October.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we learned from LA\u2019s sizzling summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Summer League: Lessons From Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and More<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dalton Knecht Proves His Worth<\/b><\/h3>\n

With every promising performance, <\/span>Dalton Knecht<\/span><\/a> continues to prove why the Lakers got a steal in the first-round. The 6\u20196\u201d wing showed he was more than just a sharpshooter throughout the summer. He made impressive passes, strung together defensive stops, and occasionally got up for the highlight slam. Across three games in Vegas, the 24-year-old averaged 21.3 points on .418\/.391\/.818 splits. He also put up 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knecht\u2019s versatility will be a critical point of his growth, and there\u2019s a good chance he could enter LA\u2019s rotation sooner than later. During an <\/span>interview with ESPN<\/span><\/a>, head coach <\/span>JJ Redick<\/span><\/a> touched on the things Knecht must develop:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know he can shoot the ball. I spent 30 minutes with him yesterday on the court after practice with live defense, going through some actions and just working with him on creating separation. He shot pretty darn well. I know he can shoot it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s the other parts of his game. The defense. The rebounding. The passing. Just the feel of the game that I have also been impressed with\u2026 Obviously, we know in the NBA you have to be a two-way player to make an impact, and defensively he\u2019s got to improve like any rookie.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Look for Knecht\u2019s defense to be a point of emphasis when training camp rolls around. It could be a swing skill that decides the rookie\u2019s fate in this year\u2019s rotation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bronny James Growing Comfortable<\/b><\/h3>\n

After several disappointing outings and the <\/span>voices of doubt growing louder<\/span><\/a>, Bronny James<\/a> appeared to silence his critics for the time being with back-to-back strong showings. He <\/span>scored 12 points<\/span><\/a> on 5\/11 shooting from the field and 2\/5 from three-point range in a tight win over the Cavs on July 17. He followed that up with a 13-point performance on 5\/10 shooting, while also picking up five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Those two games brought his averages up to 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and one assist per game on 35% shooting from the field and 16% from deep.<\/span><\/p>\n

James Jr. was eventually shut down prior to LA\u2019s summer finale, with <\/span>the reasoning outlined by Summer League head coach Dane Johnson<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>He had two pretty good games last two. I think it\u2019s just going to help him going into the summer so we can work on different things with him. Just that confidence and knowing he can play at this level. It\u2019s still going to take a lot of time and a lot of reps.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It took a few games to knock the rust off for Bronny, whose lone college season was marked by recovery from a cardiac arrest incident a year ago. However, as Johnson said, he\u2019ll be taking this newfound confidence with him to training camp with an opportunity to thrive under Redick\u2019s player development system. The tools are there for Bronny to have a solid role on the Lakers\u2014even if he must spend some time in the G League, <\/span>which he is not opposed to doing<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blake Hinson is a Flamethrower<\/b><\/h3>\n

Though it was a rocky summer overall for Blake Hinson, one of LA\u2019s newest two-way rookies, he proved why the Lakers made a great decision signing him. With Bronny, Knecht and rising sophomore Maxwell Lewis<\/a> held out of Saturday\u2019s game, <\/span>Hinson shined with 25 points<\/span><\/a>\u201421 in the first half\u2014along with three rebounds and two assists. The 6\u20198\u201d wing hit five threes as well, reminiscent of his <\/span>California Classic debut<\/span><\/a> where he dropped 17 points on 5\/7 shooting from deep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Blake Hinson continued a good Summer League by leading the Lakers to a 107-81 win and leading the team in scoring with 25 points.<\/p>\n

The 2x All-ACC performer can fill it up and score from anywhere. pic.twitter.com\/gmbrshcIlP<\/a><\/p>\n

— GREENLIGHT MEDIA (@greenlightbball) July 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n