LAS VEGAS — The Thomas & Mack Middle public handle announcer referred to as it the “main event” on the NBA Summer season League, with Lakers’ second-year guard Bronny James and Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on the middle of all of it.
The followers didn’t have to attend lengthy for the second all of them got here to see when Flagg, the primary general decide within the draft out of Duke, defended in opposition to James from the beginning of the sport.
The environment was electrical till the top, with Flagg’s Mavericks pulling out an 87-85 win after James missed a three-pointer seconds earlier than the ultimate buzzer.
“It’s Summer League and everyone is going to come out for the first game,” James mentioned. “Like, it’s going to be a crazy atmosphere, no matter what. So I just try to embrace it.”
Neither placed on a taking pictures exhibition, however the followers didn’t appear to care.
James had eight factors, lacking six of eight pictures. He additionally had two rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes and 51 seconds.
Flagg had 10 factors on five-of-21 taking pictures, lacking all 5 of his three-point makes an attempt. He had six rebounds, 4 assists and one block.
Nonetheless, James was impressed.
“He’s great,” James mentioned. “I watched him all in college. He’s an amazing player. So I have a lot of respect for him. He’s going to be special.”
Early within the recreation, James got here off a display screen with Cooper trailing and arriving too late, giving James simply sufficient time to launch a jumper that settled into the online.
Lakers guard Bronny James, left, controls the ball in entrance of Dallas Mavericks ahead Cooper Flagg through the Lakers’ Summer season League loss Thursday.
(Ryan Stetz / NBAE through Getty Photos)
James struck once more, drilling a three-pointer over Cooper, drawing cheers from the followers.
James switched and took on the problem of defending Cooper within the submit, drawing extra cheers.
Flagg missed his first two pictures, and it was clear the followers wished him to maintain taking pictures. His first basket was off a breakaway dunk, leaving the followers shaking their heads and cheering.
James and Cooper continued their duel within the second quarter, with a few performs showcasing the depth of their battle.
James, who’s 6 toes 3, took on the 6-9 Flagg within the submit, Flagg waving his teammates away as he tried to face the problem alone. James stole the ball however was referred to as for a foul — his take a look at the referees incredulous because the followers booed.
On the very subsequent possession, Flagg scored on a fadeaway over James, drawing extra cheers as Flagg slapped palms along with his teammates on the bench.
“I’m a pretty small guard,” James mentioned. “So if I get switched down there I have to stand my ground somehow. That’s why I weigh like 215 [pounds] and I got to stand my ground down there and make sure I’m not getting bullied anywhere.”
Late within the recreation, the Lakers bought a scare when Dalton Knecht buckled his knees whereas attempting to attain on a layup.
“Both of my legs cramped,” mentioned Knecht, who had 15 factors, “and I airballed the layup.”
Flagg shot a late airball, however he blocked a shot by DJ Stewart with 1:09 left.
The sport got here right down to James to win it for the Lakers, however his missed three with 3.7 seconds left sealed the Lakers’ destiny.
“Yes, I want him to fill that responsibility at the end of the game,” mentioned Lindsay Harding, Lakers assistant coach and Summer season League coach. “I want him to have the ball in his hands and I’m going to live and die with whatever shot he takes. It was the decision he made. It was a good shot. I’ve seen him make it before.”
James made one other optimistic step in his efforts to enhance his conditioning.
“I felt good,” James mentioned. “I felt I could have knocked some more shots down, but it is what it is. You’re not going to make them all. I felt my effort on the defensive end was good and that’s what I’m focusing on this year.”
