Los Angeles Lakers vs LA Clippers LIVE ON ESPN 4K NBA2K26 Summer League NBA LIVE NBA TODAY
Mom, all my friends can do it. Can you help me practice? First we have to hit the one little bunny ear over under [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] One day [Music] here Tonight on Tuesday, it’s the Nets of the Knicks. The battle of New York, the Blazers 2 and on ESPN. [Music] Back to the action for three time right there. the bottom lead. Under five to go. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Music] Hey. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Happy birthday. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. Heat. [Music] Hey, heat. Hey, heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey, Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. N. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] [Music] Hey, [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] Hey, heat. Hey, heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Applause] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. N. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey, heat. Hey, heat. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] and LeBron James in the building to see his son Bronny James. Chris Miles, Brendan Haywood here with you. Autumn Johnson will join us in a few minutes. And as I mentioned, Bronny James, the growth that he’s shown in his second summer league. Brendan, we always focused on scoring, but for him defensively and distributing, he’s taken his game to a different level so far in summer league. Well, it seems like the game has really slowed down for him. Last year sometimes, especially the beginning part of summer league, things look like they were really moving fast for Bronnie. This year seems a little bit more at ease, a little bit more peaceful on the court, understands what he has to do. He’s not pressing nearly as much. And like you said, that defense and the passing has really stood out. And here’s Bronny’s numbers from last year to this year. The points up, field goal percentage about the same, but the assist also up. Bronny in that starting lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers. Also in their starting lineup, Cole Swider, a guy that can flat out shoot the ball. We’ve seen that in this summer league on display both in the California Classic and now here in Las Vegas. 20 points in every single game that he’s played this summer. Yeah, Syder can shoot the ball. Seen him at Syracuse. He’s been known, he’s been known to let it go there. And so when you look at his game, you see the percentage 52%, 21 points per game in the G- League, I mean in the summer league. So he’s able to get it done. But I was at in the G- League as well. Jordan Miller, Patrick Baldwin, two veterans, if you will. They scored 20 each last time out. And that’s what the Clippers have to their advantage. Listen, you have two guys able to putting up 20 points. You got to go. You got to be able to make sure those guys get the ball early and often. Feature them in their scoring areas and let everybody else play off them. But we know the fans are here. You see Patrick Baldwin, Cam Christie, Jordan Miller, all three of them with 20 or more last time out. Autumn Johnson has more on the fans and Bronnie being here bringing that elevated sense of excitement. be myself, be aggressive, and make the right play for my team. That’s the motto for Bronny James heading into year two. Now, year one, he would admit there was some nerves coming into summer league around this time last year. Now, year two, more excitement. He’s feeling comfortable. I asked summer league head coach Lindseay Harper, “What have you seen from him in terms of growth?” And she said, “A lot of people haven’t followed Bronnie as much when he was in the GLeague. He was aggressive. He’s taking more of a leadership role. And this entire summer, we want Bronny to have the ball in his hands and be the decision maker. Coach Lindsay also added, “Bonnie plays well off the ball, so giving him more responsibilities is the goal this summer league.” And Bronny James, as you see on the opening tip in the starting lineup with Dalton connect DJ Stewart and Christian Koko for the Los Angeles Lakers. And the Clippers, they’re able to control the tip. Simpson to Christie working the ball around the horn and the first shot up and it’s off Loco on the glass. And you hear the crowd as soon as Bronny touches the ball and applause. Simpson an excellent defender. Dalton connects swinging it back over to Bronny. Bronny James first shot of the game. Like you said, right away you see he feels a little bit more comfortable. If you watched him in the summer league last year, he used to get off in these extremely slow starts. This game knocks it down immediately. Simpson such a crafty player. Works into the trap and gets it out. Miller on the drive tosses it up. So to that point, Brendan Ronnie James off the bounce here looking very comfortable. The first shot of the game. Yeah, very comfortable. Like I said, caught that ball. No wasted motion. Didn’t rush the shot. You see right here, shot clock’s running down. Sizes the defender up. Uses uses the dribble to kind of step the defender back to a certain degree and then just pulls up for the easy jumper. So that’s Jordan Miller at the Charity Strike. second round pick in 2023. This is his third year. He averaged 15 points per game in the G- League last season. Ronnie initiating the offense for the Lakers. Swider they collapse on him to make sure he doesn’t get it up. Connect back out to James and the excellent hands by Baldwin Christie on the fast break. But the foot race goes to the Lakers. And right away you can see how the defense is reacting to Swider. As soon as he caught that ball, he had two defenders in his face making sure he didn’t get that jumper off. DJ Stewart with the remix. Go DJ. That’s my DJ. Christie and it’s stolen by Swider. Bronny will reset. Swider over Simpson. He’s looking for the foul to no avail. Yeah, I think he looked like he got hit on his arm right there. Fisher was right there. Just missed the call. Baldwin with almost a foot height advantage over Bronny. Thought that was coming right to us. Clippers possession. Baldwin to inbound. As I said, 69 220 Simpson inside to the rookie Conan Nenhauser out of Penn State. That is a excellent pass by Simpson. Did all the dirty work and spoonfell at the end. Dalton connect up and down summer for him. That’s a tough area. They set that screen right there in a very tough area. [Music] Check it out again. The big fella getting the easy look. But it was Simpson with the eyes. The eyes told him that Simpson’s eyes told the big fella he was about to lay it up. And then that’s when he was able to drop it off. Stewart front rim. Christie going the other way. Cam Christie on Dalton. Connect a brick skying for the rebound is Miller. Baldwin ball fake. Shot make. Excellent patience right there by Baldwin Jr. with pump fake. Let the defender go by and he just calmly knocked down the tray. Ronnie driving, side stepping, finishing. Nice. And you don’t mean courteous. Yes. He just looks like a a different ball player from from a standpoint of confidence, swag. He’s just out there right now letting the game come to him. Last year he felt like all eyes are on him, so he had to force plays. Miller missing that one in the paint after the nice feed from Simpson. Slider with the handle. Slider pull it up. Gets his first bucket. We told you this young man can score it. If you haven’t seen him play, the jump shot is elite from three and the mid-range. Normally doesn’t put it on the floor, but got it done there. Baldwin looking to pull up. Excellent recovery defense. Miller from outside. Can’t cash out. Koko getting it going for the Lakers. Stewart on Simpson. That’s excellent defense right there by Simpson. Got his hand in the cookie jar. knocked that ball right off of Stewart’s knee and Bronnie James will take a seat. And that’s something we see. He’s played five played four minutes. It’s five points and one assists. Plays limited minutes, but has been making an impact so far here in Las Vegas. So, I’m going to warn you about something. Brendan War Simpson when he gets into the paint, he shoots hook shots. Oh, yeah. I’ve seen that before. Ninhouser off and it looks like it’ll stay here. [Music] So the two guys we told you about in the open responsible for all seven points for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronnie James and Cole Swider helping the Lakers have a 97 advantage. [Music] [Music] [Music] for the crowd favorite Bronnie James. Five points in the first four minutes, Brennan. and like you said, looks very comfortable as he takes his first seat of the game with his dad, LeBron James, in attendance. That’s where the question will be. A lot of a lot of smoke around will dad be a Laker next year. Lot of speculation as he picked up that player option. Lot of speculation. It’s the time of the year. Simpson with that hook. There it is. Looks over at the Lakers. Little Kareem Abdul Jabbar going with his off hand because he’s a lefty as well. Hey man, that’s tough to shoot just that hook shot in general, but to shoot it with your off hand. Come on, Simpson. Don’t show him everything. It’s only the first quarter. He’s ambidextrous. Dalton connect facing a trap. Kuma into the trap and it’s a foul on Baldwin. He looked to the ref for confirmation. But check it out again. Right hook, left hook. How do you like it? Simpson with the knockout. Hey man, this is this that is incredible with your off hand. That is an incredible shot. And it would be incredible from a big man, but to see it from a guard is truly special. 10 out of 10. Degree of difficulty. 10 out of 10. If there’s anything higher than 10, I’m giving him that. Kuma with the triple threat and back-to- back fouls on ball. Having some issues sliding his feet on defense. Arthur Kuma headed to the free throw line. Two games here at the NBA 2K 26 summer league, averaging six points off the bench, playing about 17 or 18 minutes a game. though making something of his opportunity. Now checking into the game for the Clippers, I want you to check out number nine, Trenton Flowers. At some point, he’s going to make a play to turn heads. Whether it’s defensively or offensively, he has a lot of athleticism. And Kuma nails that one. And the Lakers on top 109. Five minutes to go here in the first quarter. Controlling the offense for the Clippers. Jamal Telfort. Simpson kicks it out to Miller. Connect pulling it in. Oh, connect. His first shot. way short. Connect played a lot of meaningful minutes for the Lakers this year. Christie, nice Christy knocks down the three. But dott’s rookie year was a little bit up and down. Started off getting some run. The next thing you know, he’s traded away from the Lakers and then actually Trey gets rescended and he’s sent back. So that’s probably got to be a tough thing to deal with mentally when you know your team kind of sends you out and you got to come back and you got to act like it’s all good. Yeah, for Dalton Connect, he’s spoken about the mental gymnastics with that situation and just saying, “I’m trying to enjoy my time in the NBA as he stays on the floor.” Thought he was coming out of the game for the Lakers down by two here. He’s their best offensive weapon. Yes, he is for this group. And I love the work ethic. I’m doing my research on him. They said right in the off as soon as the offseason started, he didn’t he wasn’t doing two a day. They said he was doing three a days. Young man living in the gym, understanding nothing is given, nothing is promised. As Simpson knocks down a Trey ball. He showed us a little bit of everything today. Yeah, Simpson out of the gate, five points, one assist. We saw the dime dropped inside the the running hook shot with the off hand. And now we see Simpson with the triple as well. We also have to point out an impact player taking the floor for the Lakers for the first time in this game. Darius Basley, number 36. And I believe he has the ability to make this roster this season. He does. Remember first round draft pick Oklahoma City Thunder. Used to be a starter for them. Back door cut. Little too hot to handle. Clippers will get possession. I said, you know, this Lakers team, they need help up front. Simpson doing an excellent job keeping a flow in a rhythm to this offense for the Clippers. They have a five-point lead. Simpson. A little bit of contact there. It’ll stay with the Clippers. Side out. Simpson will take it out with 10 seconds left on the shot clock. Teleport back to Simpson. Baseline tries to rifle it in to Miller. Rice on the break. Rice slices off. Cam Christie looks a lot like his brother Max Christie. Flowers getting it back to Cam Christie for three. Basisley on the boards. Basisley, kicking it in the corner. The nice drive by Rice, but way too strong. That’s the second miss in a row for Rice inside. He’s got to take his time inside and finish those. Miller right at Basley. Nice finesse move. That’s tough. 80 run right there for the Clippers. 1710 their largest lead of the game. Connect driving still looking for his first bucket. So Dalton Connect on the drive and it looks like we’ll head to the charity stripe when we return. Clippers on an eight nothing run and it’s Miller with the Euro step helping to build that lead. [Music] And on ESPN, the Blazers and Pelicans. So Dalton Connect headed to the free throw line. He’s taking one official shot attempt here in the first quarter. He’s someone to keep an eye out on. See if he can get it going. Just out of sorts at times this summer and has shown a propensity to light it up. You know, we understand who he is as a scorer and a playmaker. You just go back to his time at Tennessee, that that one year he spent there was truly special what he was able to do as a offensive player. So, we we understand the offensive skill set is there cuz sometimes you get in the summer league, you start pressing a little bit, you want to show everything and you end up showing nothing. Baldwin off, teleport on. So, connect missed both free throws coming out of that break. It’s a 10 nothing Clippers run. They’re up by nine now. Basisley kicking it over. It’s short hits. Sanders right in the hand. Great hustle right there. Excellent play giving up his body, giving this team another possession. So connect will sit down. Slider will check into the game as we see Lindseay Harding, the head coach of the Lakers, coaching up Dalton Connect right now. And for Harding, she was hired as as an assistant last season. Coached the Kings GLeague team in Stockton to a 24-10 record the season before that. Of course, the number one overall pick in the WNBA draft way back in 2007. So, a foul called there after steal a block. Looks like the Lakers will get possession trying to get something going offensively. It seemed like the only time they had a rhythm is when Bronny was on the floor. Yeah, right now the Lakers kind of on the struggle bus only shooting 36% from the floor, 20% from three, and 25% from the free throw line. So, that explains why they only have 10 points. Maybe Swider can can do something to turn their fortunes around. Johnson gets it to Swider right on time. Just like Brendan said, Nostra Haywood. Listen, man. I ain’t pass the bar, but I know a little bit. I know you know about the pull-up bars in the bench press bars. You’re in the gym, Brendon. I see you. Hey, man. I’m just I’m just trying I’m just trying trying to age with grace. Can I ask you this question? Are you in better shape now than you were when you played in the NBA? Are you trying to disrespect me as a player in the league or you trying to No, I’m trying to show you respect. Okay. All right. I don’t know. I’m probably stronger now. I probably have more muscle tone. I can’t run like I could back in the day. I didn’t ask you about running. Yeah, I definitely can’t do that. This left knee shot. Kobe Sanders having a good summer league. double figures in both of his games. Driving on Slider, kicks it out to Baldwin, beats the buzzer and the Clippers remain hot. That is now a 13-3 run. Rice having some issues in the back court. Kuma losing it against Christie. Good ball pressure by the Clippers. This possession just looks really sloppy and disjointed for the Lakers right from the start. A terrible crosscourt pass. Slider can’t make them pay. Baldwin the excellent rebound. Basisley staying with him. Fullourt pressure. And that is a foul going against Baldwin extending that arm. So kudos to Basley providing that fullcourt pressure off the rebound. Big time ball pressure. 28 seconds left here in the first quarter. Lakers under pressure the entire quarter. Rice. Good pump fake, but nowhere to go. Christy almost gets the steal. Swider traveled on the play. He looked to try to get the shot attempt but smothered. Yes, I just like these last couple of Laker possessions have just they haven’t been they haven’t been things of beauty. I’ll tell you that much. Disjointed, not a lot of ball movement. They got to start running some action where that ball moves side to side. Everybody touches it and maybe start getting some corner threes at the buzzer. They can’t get a shot up looked for it, but it’s the Clippers with a ninepoint advantage after one. The balance scoring attack. [Music] This is a story about the one. The one who can fix nearly anything and turns to Granger who has almost everything. He troubleshoots issues, maintains the facility, and keeps it all on track. Few may see him put the work in, but when they see the results, they know he’s the one who keeps the doors open. The high [Music] [Music] [Music] for having the primary point guard duties right now. Five points as well. You haven’t missed in this first quarter. How are you showcasing that versatility right now? Um, just being aggressive. Um, obviously me being ahead of the Snake, it’s important I get into the paint, whether that’s for finish or getting guys open shots and um, just getting with the defense safely, knocking down the shots, playing with my teammates, and just being able to have had ability to play on both ends. And this is your fifth summer league. What do you want to be different about this one? Um, just continue to be me. Obviously, show my strengths, show the things I’ve been working on over the summer. Um, continue to play hard and smart. Uh, facilitate the ball really well, knock down some threes, and just be aggressive. Thank you, and good luck. Thank you. Appreciate it. And all those things he just said could apply to Bronnie as well because this was an even game the first four minutes when Bronny was on the floor. He checks right back in Brendan and heads to the charity stripe where he gets that the fall. He has six of the Lakers 14 points and Bronny has played a total of four minutes. As soon as he checks in right back to the free throw line, this is a different player than we’ve seen in the past. Yeah, and that was also a great set right there by the Lakers coming out of the timeout. The coaching staff really put Bronnie in possession in position to be successful on that play with a great back door play zone out of a timeout. And I’ll tell you this much, I had Bronnie’s Nike Hoot Summit game before he went to college and this is a completely different player in a sense of confidence in what he’s able to accomplish on the field. And the Lakers right now running completely different defense. Looks like they’re running maybe a 32 or 131. I couldn’t really see. Yeah, definitely running his own. Trying to show the Clippers some different looks. Trey Jimson hustling down the middle of the paint. Rice with an excellent pass, but great recovery defense by the Clippers. Rice in no man’s land. Can’t find someone. Johnson cutting, but just stout defense by the Clippers. I mean, I tell you what, these a lot of these Laker possessions have been absolutely tough to watch, especially the last like outside of that back door play for Bronty. Their last three, their last four to five possessions have been tough. Kobe Sanders. Oh, what a screen. 50th pick in this year’s draft. And they found it. 30th pick in this year’s draft. Wide open. Yanni Conan Neenhouser for his second big dunk. Yeah, Neen House right there set a massive screen at the beginning of that play in the top of the zone and then he just cut down the middle and got lost for a second. Bronny with the dime in the corner. Won’t get an assist on that as Johnson is wide right. But Bronny James got some oo and a’s from the crowd with that pass. And it’s hard to be wide right from the corner, isn’t it? It certainly is. You saw it, it goes and it sails. Yeah, I’m just saying it’s really hard to be wide right from the corner. That’s not something you see every day. Nine-point Clippers advantage. The fullcourt pressure by the Lakers mostly ineffective. Christy Euro steps. Easy bucket for him. Nice. That is a big time move right there. You see him moving through London with the Euro step and then he pays pays it off with the floater. That’s an incredibly tough shot. Ronnie over Sanders. Hello. Welcome to the Bronny James show. He’s got 10 of the Lakers 18. The triple threat step back. You know Pops is over there loving that. Christy working on Rice and Rice gets the advantage. Rice wide open. Bronny on the glass. Gets the offensive rebound and the assist to Cole Slider. So Bronnie James making impact plays. Listen, Bronnie James is making everything happen for the Lakers right now. Nice soft touch by Baldwin. The ball on the shoulders a lot. We saw the three-point shot earlier in the game right there. We saw we see the nice finish with the left hand. Ronnie James four for four from the field. three for three from long range, having his best first half, controlling the offense. He’s got 13 of their 21 points. You see right there, just no wasted motion. And then right here, I love the hustle and then the wherewithal and the recognition to see where Swider was and get an assist really quickly. Ronnie James looking inside for Trey Json who had the seal and JSON a hard player to move. Man, they say no days off in the weight room. They definitely talking about that young man right there. Number 55 for the Lakers looking like Brendan Haywood on a basketball. Yeah, right. Yeah, right. All muscle, a lot of hustle. Jon looking for the pass inside will go off the foot of Cody Neenhouser. But getting back to Bronnie James, like I said, watching last year, beginning of the summer league, you know, like everybody else, they’re trying to figure out, okay, what type of player is Bonnie James? And felt like that pressure was just on him and he didn’t respond well at the beginning part of summer league. This game right now in particular, he has looked really, really good. He looks like he’s in a different level, a different comfort level I should say. Another opportunity for the Lakers. Rice pulls it. That’s his second air ball. Man, Rice has missed two layups and has two air balls. He might he might need might need to really consider passing that thing next time he gets it. Lakers down by seven again. Simpson such a crafty, shifty veteran for the Clippers. Miller the reverse tween insideer. Oh wow. And who’s on the receiving end of that? Your boy Rice. The bad news just continues for Rice, man. Might need a sub. Bronny James loses it. Slider and great defense by Flowers. You know, you cannot let Slider have an inch of space to shoot. Flowers gave him none of it and knocks it out of bounds. So once again, Bronnie James plays the first four minutes of the quarter and takes a seat, but the most impactful first four minutes and they’re trying to make sure that Conan Neenhauser gets enough space. As you see, he looks massive. DJ Stewart trying to inbound this one. And there is Conan Neenhouser, the rookie, gets the steal and then Stewart knocks it off. Conan Nenhauser needs looking for Stewart the whole time. He just simply couldn’t find him and Stewart’s able to sneak around. Excellent defense by the big fella. Gets out transition. He’s looking for Stewart. He can’t find him. And Stewart sneaks around and is able to steal it from and throw it off his leg. Great hustle by Stewart. hustled by both teams on a bang bang play. Six minutes to go here in the second quarter. Dalton Connect still trying to find some sort of rhythm, some sort of space. None there. Johnson bumped way off his spot. DJ Stewart stolen by Simpson. Clippers have numbers. Great hands by Johnson on the recovery. So, a slew of deflections and hustle plays here midway through the second quarter. Clippers with a nine-point advantage. [Music] here in Vegas. I’m Autumn Johnson and I caught up with the Clipper staff about the rookie big man Yannerhouser and they have been encouraged by his growth already from game one to game two on both ends of the floor. He has made his presence known early with his first summer league bucket coming in. S a powerful dunk versus the Bucks. And we’re seeing that again and again here versus the Clippers. And the Clippers have been throwing a lot at him in a short amount of time, but he’s been picking up concepts very well and executing. One area of emphasis is set setting those screens. The Clippers are very specific in how they want him to operate. Getting out on screens quickly, moving and just making sure whenever he sees the defense moves in that momentum when their body shifts, make sure he gets right out of it. And Netherhauser, he’s been locked in on learning those nuances. So far, the staff is loving what they’re seeing. Yeah. The 22-year-old rookie, 30th pick in this year’s draft out of Penn State, having an impact here in the first half. Couldn’t hold on to that pass. I tell you what though, when you look at how he moves, how the size he has, he’s he can definitely get into this rotation right away as a rim roller because if he sets screens for James Harden, you know, James will make it easy. He’ll throw it up to the rim and let his big fellas eat. So, I could definitely see him being a rim runner for the Clippers this year. No lies detected as he’s there to impact that play defensively. And you mentioned that because last year for the Clippers, they had some issues with the backup center position with their depth in their front court. Zubach had a great year, but now they bring in Brook Lopez and Neenhouser. So now you’re looking at it as three deep at that center position. Simpson makes a nice crafty move. Okay, Simpson. And one. No. Offensive foul. Offensive foul. Oh, come on. Stop it. But to the point that we’re making about the bigs there for the Clippers, it seems like they beefed up. Check it out again. Oh man, come on. You can’t call off the foul on there. Now remember this is summer length. The refs are being evaluated as well. I call my man Monty Cut. Cut on that one. We we know we we understand what’s happening here. But back to the bigs for the Clippers. To your point, you got 611 242. You got Brook Lopez, Avette to go along with Zubac. The big man arms race seems to be on the way out west. Yeah, like I said, if you look out west, a lot of teams are trying to get bigger. You look at the Clippers got big, they got bigger. The Suns got bigger. The Dallas Mavericks are already big. When you talk about that trade they made last year for Anthony Davis to go along with Gaffford and Lively. So, um, we talked about Edy and Jiren Jackson Jr. playing from Memphis. There’s a lot of size out west. So you need bigs, but you need bigs that can play. They need to be mobile, athletic, able to make plays at the rim, whether it’s blocking shots or finishing there. And the struggles continue for Dalton Connect. Yes, he’s 0 for two. I’ve also missed a free throw. He’s just pressing. He looked for the foul on his arm there. That’s what he’s pleading, but just not even getting shot attempts off. Yeah, he’s just pressing. Like, we know the young man wants it. We know he’s working hard. Like I told you, he’s been getting in three a day workouts in the off season. It’s just not paying dividends right now because he’s pressing so much. And sometimes that happens. You want something so bad that you end up doing too much. We should also mention John Collins joining that team for the Clippers playing with James Harden. He’ll probably put some small ball for them. Connect. There we go. Connects for the first time in this one. Lakers need a lot more of that. His first two points makes it a sevenpoint deficit. Where do you see this Clippers team next year in in this Western Conference? You think they compete for a championship or they’re just a playoff team? Baldwin fadeaway. Kawawaii. Kawawaii. Kawawaii. Kawawaii. Yeah, it depends on how how healthy Kawaii is. You give me 65 to 70 games of Kawhi Leonard. 70 is a tough ass right now in his career. 65 to 70 in that or 62. Okay, let’s go 62 cuz that’s the Kevin Durant number. The 62 Kawawaii Leonard games and a healthy playoff run. Absolutely. They’re one of the teams in the West that could compete for a championship. But here’s the thing, Brendan. The Thunder are your reigning champs. The Nuggets got better. The Spurs are they’re coming. Maybe not this season. They’ll be there soon enough. Connect. Don’t forget about Minnesota. We talked about Minnesota backto-back Western Conference Finals. Look how long it took me to get there. Houston Rockets. Oh man. Went and got Kevin Durant. So when we say those teams, it’s like, well, if you just want to finish in the top six and be a playoff team as opposed to a playin team, that’s where we start. Is Bronnie James getting ready to check back into the game with Cole Slider. You hear the crowd reacting to it. When you put it like that, Chris, I don’t like the chance. Let’s just say playoff team from here. Top six. Flowers loses his footing. And the fans will get what they want. Ronnie James checking back into the game talking to Lindsay Harding. Get the people what they want. Put Ronnie back in the game. You know, whenever I say give the people what they want. I got to give credit to Jaylen. Stuck in my head. I can’t just steal the man’s line. That was his tagline. That was his tagline on his podcast. Next. Oh yeah. Jay Rose one of the best. Best broadcasters, best people. Oh, for sure. Shout out to uh JRLA. I know it’s in Detroit. Seeing the initials LA with these two LA teams. Okay. Props to that in his school that he has. Yes. Yes. That’s probably more important than anything he’s done basketball-wise. DJ Stewart off to a good start. Nice pass inside. Koko with the hook and Christy called for the foul. Seemed like a late whistle. He doesn’t like it. But out of the way, Koko will go to the free throw line when we return with under three to go here in the second quarter. The NBA 2K26 summer league [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] We got action. In both gyms at the Pavilion, the Kings put on their crowns against the Phoenix Suns. And we know Devin Carter, what kind of hooper he is. Good to see him back and healthy for the Kings leading the way. And over here at the Thomas and Mack, Bronny James putting on a show here in the first half. 10 points, two rebounds, two assists. Has not missed. Koko missing from the free throw line. It’s Lakers offense outside of Brownie really hasn’t gotten going at all, Brenda. Yeah, and it’s just been a struggle. We talk about Dol Connect, he’s he’s one for five, DJ Stewart one for four. Just as a unit, they’re only shooting 32% from the floor, 26% from three. So, um it’s been a struggle. They can’t even get any help at the free throw line because they’re sub 50% at the free throw line as well. So, Lakers offensively struggling on all fronts. But the way to stop that is to get some steals on defense and get out in transition. Koko with the quick hands and the hustle play and Dalton connect. He missed his first two free throw attempts. He’s missed all three of his three-point attempts, but sometimes you get to the charity strike, you find your rhythm. We saw that in our last game with Dylan Harper. He was struggling to score. Got to the free throw line a few times and then had his best quarter in the fourth. Well, that’s what a lot of great scorers do. Um, when there’s when you’re a great scorer, you’re not going to shoot it great every single night. But you have to understand how do you get back in your rhythm when you’re off on an off night where you look up and you’re two for eight. Okay, I got knowing I got to get to the free throw line. I got to get some free throws. Get my rhythm going there and that will translate into my next couple of jump shots. Well, as he hits his first free throw after missing his first three, he put his hands to the sky like finally. Baldwin getting past connect and Koko another defensive play. Last possession he got the stop gets it there inside. Yeah, Koko’s defense the last two plays has been absolutely stellar. We saw him with the steal. This time he pays it off with the block. Ronnie, nice pass to Koko gets the assist. It’s the Koko show. Koko out here giving us big energy. Both hands Christie fouled as he drives past Ko right here. This this is how you protect the rim. This is how you guard your yard. Somebody comes in there, you cross the midline and you get your block. And now Koko with a good screen and roll to the basket kept the ball up high. That was huge because a lot of times you see big fellas catch it and bring it down. That’s where it gets stripped. Koko kept it up high. That’s the difference between getting the ball stripped and getting the shot off. How about the point guard play from Bronny knowing to feed the big man who made several defensive plays in a row. Connect going the other way. Lakers have an advantage. Connect loses it. Who else but Bronnie gets it back and Miller slaps it out of bounds. But as a big man, you understand that concept. You make a play on defense, then you roll to the basket and your guard feeds you. You love those moments. Yeah. And as a big, especially like when you’re big like Koko who you’re not going to they’re not going to call any plays for you. Those little layups and things of that nature, they just give your big a lot more energy and effort. They make him want to work harder for you on the defensive end. Stewart and Simpson got to feed. Got to beat Got to feed the big fellas, Chris. Hey, those the Dragons ain’t going to protect the castle for free. You got to give him the rock. And there’s connect four connecting from outside for the first time. It’s an eight nothing Lakers run. And Dalton Connect has four of those. Christie and there’s Connect grabbing the rebound. You can feel the momentum. Lakers down by one. Connect dancing. Loses it. Christy picks it up. Here comes Simpson. 115 to go in the first half. Remember our last game went into overtime. Had the same kind of back and forth battle. Stewart to the hole. Stolen by Christie looking like a defensive back. Pulling up. No one stopped ball but he shoots a break. Going to take that first side jumper. You got to make sure you knock it down. connect trapped in the corner and an ill-advised foul by Simpson. So, whenever you have a player trapped, you never ever want to come in. Yeah. When you have a player trapped over there, especially on that baseline area, it’s hard to make passes out of there. Just come over there, be aggressive with your hands up, but don’t just reach in. Don’t want to bail the guy out. Ronnie resetting the play. Eight seconds left on the shot clock. Got to make something happen. The spin, the hook. Ronnie, a man on fire. What a shot. Ronnie Ding up Miller. Clippers resetting. 10sec difference. Shot clock, game clock here at the end of the first half. This is what makes Simpson such a good quarterback. The crossover. Baldwin gets the open look. Can’t cash it in. Lakers can hold for the final shot. Ronnie off the screen. Hung in the air. Stewart fires it off. And the first half will end in a one-point game. The fans came to see Bronnie James. They have not been disappointed with his father in attendance. LeBron James, one of the greatest players of all time. His son Ronnie James putting on a show. 12 points, four for four from the field. Two for two from long range, three assists, four rebounds. Lakers down by one to the Clippers at the break. [Music] at AT&T. We [Music] [Music] [Music] game in the Lakers second round draft pick is missing summer league with a knee injury but let’s get to know him a little bit more he has deep strength in general. My defensive ability, um, being able to move at, you know, my size, I can guard pretty much one through five. Offensively, I can get to the rim. You know, I get to my spots. I can knock down shots. Getting downhill with full head of steam. That’s a dangerous man right there. The reverse lay. My dad’s name is Alami. Call him Coach Al. You know, he’s coached me my whole life. He played basketball for coach Caliperry. That’s who I ended up playing for. He’d always go, “Oh, you’re not as strong as your dad yet.” I think I’m better than my dad now. So, it’s I just I hear that and I just laugh. [Applause] He mentioned his dad, but his mother also Miriam was drafted by the Washington Mystics in 2006. He is deeply rooted in basketball. More summer league action on the other half this break. Come on back. We’ll be right back. [Music] When you’re a small business owner, your to-do list can be a lot. Super helpful. [Applause] [Music] What about invoices? Progressive makes it easy to see if you can save money with a commercial auto quote online so you can get back to all your other to-dos. Absolutely not. Get a quote at progressivecommercial.com. Skipping breakfast wasn’t a big deal before. I got you. But now Wendy’s has buck biscuits. Hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] saying so much. But here’s his dad, the future Hall of Famer, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He’s here in the Thomas and Mack talking to his son right now. On the other side, you see Ryan Dunn for the Phoenix Suns, one of the best rookies this season. But it’s the Kings with a huge lead over them. Chris Miles here with Brendan Haywood. And look, the crowd has been into this. We know here in summer league. They come to see tomorrow’s stars today. But Bronnie James arguably having the best half of his professional career, leading all scorers with 12 points, perfect from the field, but making some top tier heads up plays. Yeah, he’s making winning plays. Offensively, he’s not forcing anything. He’s letting the game come to him. Um, we’ve seen him uh get some good assist as well, make the hustle plays, but you see right here early on, he got it popping with the jump shot to start the game off. Driving downhill, excellent finish inside. This play was absolutely filthy getting the nice step back jumper and then little hook shot/ floater for Bronny James. Four from the field, two of two from the free throw line, 12 points. got to love what he’s been able to put out there on film today. And the the shortest player on the floor, grabbing four rebounds, and some on the offensive end, creating second chance opportunities. Yeah, like I said, he’s been affecting this game all over. And that’s what that’s what he like you said, the three assists, the four rebounds. It hasn’t just been scoring, it’s been the hustle plays, it’s been getting out in transition, it’s been rebounding, it’s been the assist. It’s doing a little bit of everything. The biggest bug boo for the Lakers you don’t see on your screen right now as we look at the first half stats. Yes, 37% from the field. You want to hear what’s worse? They’re shooting about that from the free throw line. That ain’t good. Four for 10 and they’re down by one. We start the second half. Ronnie James controlling the offense for the Lakers. Simpson providing the defense for the Clippers. The foul inside of Dalton Connect cuts. So, Dalton Connect really struggled to find his way, but really towards that second quarter, hit a three, hit a free throw, and seemed to be getting to some sort of Yeah, the beginning part of the game was absolute struggle for Dol Ket. Looked like he was pressing the action, missing shots. Um, just didn’t look comfortable. Then, as we got to the end of that second quarter, got a couple things to go his way. He found like he was settling in and starting to find his rhythm. DJ Stewart, hello. Yet again with the remix. Lakers take the lead 3432. Good ball movement by the Clippers. Christie shuffled the feet before making the drive. Lakers pushing it the other way fast trying to take advantage. connect. Good close out by Baldwin Koko. Nice mid-range shot by the big fell. Yeah, lined that up real smooth. Shot it with confidence as well. Koko’s has given the Lakers very strong minutes in this game. So, is the Clippers in full control and offensive rhythm early on as Miller with the hesitation on the foot? Not something you see very often. No, but we’re actually seeing a lot of the younger guys coming into the league using that move. It’s that that delayed step is what they’re calling new age spider from the corner. It’s been a while since he’s had a good look. Christy on the break. Finger roll tied back up at 36. Bonnie James going baseline gets the shot off and Christie gets it going the other way right at Schwider swiped Christie knew he was going to attack Swider’s feet the whole time you saw him backpedaling in transition knew he was going right to the cup nothing that Swider can do against an athlete like Christy when they’re out in transition right there look you know he’s going by him right at that point so Cam Christie seven points four rebounds, four assists, but in both of his summer league games before this one had 20 points in each of those 46 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, appeared in 13 regular season games. But here’s the other thing. Four playoff games for the Clippers where not necessarily someone that contributed but touched the floor in that environment. Yeah, and Chrissy somebody you could you definitely can see where his game can grow. has good size on him, defensive presence. Offensively, he knows how to play play the game of basketball. So, I definitely think, like I said, this Clipper team, I’m not sure if he’s going to get a lot of minutes this year, but there’s a path for him if he keeps working to find his way into a rotation. Connect wide open back rim. Go Neerhouser pulling that one down. [Music] Simpson to Conarhouser for three in and out. So two open looks by both teams from long range. Can’t get him to drop. Connect. Oh, four. Connect. Dog. Connect going to the rim with bad intentions. Edenhow’s on the wrong end of that one. Simpson so crafty in the paint. I’m looking forward to shooting another one of those hook shots. Baldwin instead from the corner. Connect pulls it in and then falls as he tries to get the fast break started. See connect right here going inside. Big fella just a step too late. You see the Clippers defender reacting to Ket’s jump shot. Even though Ket’s not shooting the ball well in this game, everybody knows what he’s capable of. When you see that defender closing out closing out at you hard like that, attack his feet and get right downhill. Make him pay. Miller behind the back pass. Ill advised. Bronny with the steal. Stewart to connect. Way too high. Now the Clippers have numbers the other way. Simpson to Miller. And the foul will go against two shots, but really pass just a little offline on that alley. He was going the other way. Yeah, they threw that that we I know LeBron James is in the building, but he’s not on the court. You throw that lob to LeBron, not connect like you can’t throw him that one. You got to put it right at the rim. just makes you appreciate players with that extra bounce. Listen, players with that extra bounce are special. How incredible is it that in his 40s LeBron can still jump like that? Yeah, that’s crazy. Got my man Randy Mim was beside him. That’s That’s a good dude right there, Randy. Man, Ry’s a great guy. Great guy. You know everybody. I know. Well, you know, I was in I did play LeBron for one season. Randy was always around. Looked like Randy been out in the sun a lot, too, man. All right. Randy been getting that tan on. Ronnie James with a crosscourt pass. The second good one he’s made today. Nice pocket pass. Ko pays it off. And Stewart did a great job setting the big fell up. Big fella set on a nice screen. Stewart dropped it for him right at the rim and Koko knows how to finish it. Simpson blocked by Koko. Neaterhauser blocked up top again. Two blocks by Koko on the same concession. Stewart, no connect. No. I tell you what though, I like what Koko’s doing though. We saw this. We saw a couple of blocks in the first half. We saw him get a steal, get out in transition. The stats aren’t goddy for Koko, but if you’re watching the game, he’s really impacting the game. And it’s just a lot of energy, effort, and just having a high motor. Yeah. Koko has played in 95 career NBA games played in 37 games overall off the bench for the Lakers this season. Ronnie James takes a seat. We’ve seen that every quarter he plays the first four minutes. Like I said, Koko’s stats aren’t godly, but when you look at the statline, six points, three rebounds, but then he also has three blocks and three steals. Simpson pass slider. Great pass. Neerhouser. The fourth big throw down in this one. Neater is so bouncy and athletic. I’m telling you, this young man has a chance to get in that Clippers rotation simply because of plays that he can make like that. James Harden will find him. Neater, no need to find him there. Steve Palmer losing it just like B would put him in a poster. Wow. Please pose for my poster. Oops. Upside your head. Need Tom for your man. Let’s hit rewind. Wow. The crowd is loving it. You were saying it, Brendan. How he moves. Listen, he is bouncy. He is super bouncy. And he gets off the ground quick and he’s explosive. Koko, are you talking about him too? Yeah. Well, I talked I love what Koko’s doing, but Neita, he’s a different type of athlete. He’s quick and explo. There’s some guys that are explosive, but they got to take their time and gather. He doesn’t need to gather at all. He’s up and off the ground quick, fast, and in a hurry. Nether Howser again. This time, Koko is there like not in my house. Johnson at Simpson and he falls. Flowers pushing it behind the back and a bump by connect. So we do get a break now, but not before the explosion. Get used to the name Yanick Conenhouser. Reload and explode for the rookie big man out of Penn State. Oh, look. I’m bottomless. Just like Bottomless Apps for $9.99 at Buffalo Wild Wings. That’s right. You can get bottomless mop sticks, fried pickles, and so much more for you and all your bottomless friends. Bottomless apps for $9.99 only at B-Dubz. [Music] [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] He’s now the leading scorer for the Clippers with 10 points. And you love how he could potentially fit in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Yeah, I mean, I just see him as a rim roller playing with James Harden. I’m not saying he’s going to be this exact same player, but I can see him having the same effect in the mid game in the mid pick and roll that Harden had in Houston with Clint Capella. I know we got to go back into the way back machine, but Clint Capella and James Harden, they used to make magic. I should say magic Harden used to make magic with Clint Capella because when they were getting that pick and roll, he would turn that corner and just throw it to the sky. Capella would always finish it off. I can see how doing a lot of that this year. And looking at the Clippers depth chart, as we said, John Collins came over. Brook Lopez now they got three deep at the center position. Derek Jones a high flyer as well. Just so many players to compliment. James Harden, who had an AllNBA season, who also signed a 2year $84 million extension. Yeah. Well, well deserved as well. Well deserved. Basley in the post. The help comes quick. Johnson can’t convert. Got to finish that one. Great find by Basley. Flowers stripped by Johnson. They both are on the deck. Kind of funny right there. Fell on the ball. Doesn’t seem to be faint. Young and athletic. You be you’d be peeling me up off the ground if I fell like that at this point of my life. You’d be like right there. Like that. I’m falling right there. I can’t get up. I’d have left my shoulder somewhere trying that, bro. My neck. My back. My neck and my back for sure. Everything will be hurt. Three seconds on the shot clock. Simpson working on connect. Oh, it could pay off the hook this time. And Dalton Connect called for his fourth personal foul. Two here in the quarter. You rarely see guys foul out in summer league, so he’ll be all right. Some league do what? 10 fouls. 501. Huh? That’s the number. What? 501 foul. It’s unlimited. The the summer league record is 10 fouls. Some record is 10 fouls. I think you don’t know that number. 511. Not really. Simpson at the charity strike. 28-year-old nails the second one. It’s a four-point Clippers lead. Dalton Connect trying to find Basley who has the height advantage. Connect keeps it himself and there’s a lid on it for Connect. Miller pushing it quick. The double crossover doesn’t work to his advantage. Great defense by Johnson though. Johnson was right in Miller’s shirt. Now he goes over there on Simpson Christie contested up top. That was a good defensive possession by the Lakers, but it all started with Johnson’s on ball defense. Six rebounds now for Connect. Johnson double crossover pull up off the glass. Flowers from the top of the key. And so Bronny James set the check back in. We hit the under two mark here in the third quarter. Still Bronnie leading the Lakers in scoring despite playing just 15 minutes. So we return. Lakers down by four. Bronny James will step back onto the court. Having insurance isn’t the same as having State Farm. It’s like getting Baitman when you need the protection of Batman. Easy Bait Mobile. Not too [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] in group play and eight advancing to the knockout round, but only one will capture the cup. Visit nba.com/nbacup to learn more. And of course, the championship of the NBA Emirates Cup played here in Las Vegas despite there not being a franchise here in Las Vegas. Brendan, such an excellent presence by the NBA here in Vegas. Ronnie James driving as we did here. It’s under three minutes here in the third quarter. Slider pulling up and that’s off. But like I was saying, here in Las Vegas, you feel the presence whether it’s the Aces, it’s the NBA Cup, it’s the 2K 26 Summerloop. All of those different entities give that presence of the NBA. Yeah, the NBA definitely has a a big time presence in Las Vegas and it’s just there’s a lot of people here that that live here and people even the people that come from in and out of town that just love basketball and they love what the NBA has to offer and they partake of the product. Crosscourt pass from Bronnie to Rice. Rice going up. I’m telling you what, Rice has had a tough really in that situation. And they’ve been bad misses though, you know, like three air balls, two miss layups. It’s been really bad misses. Seemed like he was open from long range before he put that one on the floor. Yeah, you just have to settle with him a little bit. Baldwin fouled by guess who? That guy. So Baldwin 69 against Rice. Who was Let’s see if the Lakers can get something going and jump start this offense really quickly. Well, the Clippers 4 for 20 from long range. The Lakers 34% for the field overall. They turn it Oh, they turn it over. Darius Basley and Ronnie not on the same page there and a delay of game warning coming that their way. Basically threw that into the stands. So the thing about the Lakers right now is just the efficiency flat out isn’t there anywhere on the court, but especially when you look at what they’ve done from the three-point line. Six of 19 as a team from three. The only reason they’re in the game though. Clippers are four of 20 from three. I was letting you get to it like hold on. So at the end of So at the end of the day, the three-point line is telling the story right now. So they were trying to determine where the ball would be taken out after Basley launched it from over there. Back court violation. get it at half court and a timeout for the Clippers. So, this game started off with some very efficient basketball here in the third. Both teams struggling to find their rhythm. 4642 Clippers lead. Safety test. Human subject required. Guess we should move on to the Jurassic Trail rated test. [Music] Happy. [Music] [Music] Hey, [Music] blue. [Music] fellas. Bouncy, special type of athlete. Special athlete. I can’t wait to see what the James Harden and Nether Hower pick and roll is going to look like. I think he’s going to have uh several highlights this season. Yeah, since he’s been on the bench, he’s doing it in front of his coaching staff, in front of Steve Balmer. Got Too over there. B Shaw, Dante Jones, not on the coaching staff of one of my guys back in the day. My main man Doodles is over there. Baldwin pass James. That’s a really nice swipe through by Baldwin. Wasted no time. has got a 9 in height advantage and took advantage swiftly. Yeah, but normally you see a guy with the height advantage try to use that size. He just drove right by Bronny right there. Bonnie showing off the handles to create his own shot off the glass. Flowers controls it. Christie kicking it out. Sanders and no man’s land. Buis, they lucked out that he didn’t connect there because that’s his game. Slider, they knew not to leave him open. I tell you what, the Clippers have done a good job on Slider. They’ve been all over him. They got the memo. He’s got eight points. Remember, he’s had 20 or more in every game he’s played this summer. But every time he gets it gets it, every single Clippers player is in his jersey. Basisley fires it at the buzzer and he’ll head to the free throw line. So in a quarter where both teams have been stagnant, Darius Basley communicating with Bronny here. We’ll go to the free throw line. Basisley, no official shot attempts. These will be his first free throw attempts. averaging 10 points per game in summer league. Summer league action continues on NBA TV, ESPN, and the ESPN app. NBA TV tomorrow, the Minnesota Timberwolves versus the Detroit Pistons. On ESPN 2, it’s the Battle of New York, the Nets in the Knicks. ESPN Plus, ESPN 3. Tomorrow, Raptors and Nuggets. On ESPN, it’s the Blazers and Pelicans with the night cap. So again, Basley spent his first three plus seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Averageaged 14 points per game, 55 starts, having a struggle in this one, one for three at the free throw line after that trip and no official shot attempts. But this is a guy that’s been a starter in the NBA. Yeah. and B he’s play he’s played a lot of minutes in the league so you obviously understand he’s somebody that understands how to play the game and knows what to do out there and definitely has a place in this league Baldwin at the buzzer no and with that the Clippers hold a fivepoint advantage over the Lakers here the NBA 2K26 summer league [Music] Skipping breakfast. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Coming into year two, what is this Lakers coaching staff really stressed to you to challenge you here in your next year? I’ve been talking about being a pest on the defensive end. So, that’s probably my main focus right now, but also just being myself and being aggressive on the offensive end. So, they just want me to come out and be myself. Thanks, Bronnie. Well, Bronny James the highest plus minus of any player today. Plus nine. He has 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, committed just one foul, Brendan. So, all of those things seem to be working for him as he starts this this fourth quarter. Yeah, everything’s working for him. right there. That 131 zone wasn’t working for the Lakers as they ended up giving up a corner three right there. Doing the honors, but the Lakers just 43 points on the board. They’re playing well on defense, but struggling to find any sort of offensive rhythm. Basisley with the spin in no man’s land. And right now, like I said, when you watch this Lakers offense, it’s been a struggle coming down the stretch in this game down eight. If they’re going to get better off it’s going to have to be a lot more Swider, a lot more Bronny James. And then when Dalton Ket comes in, he’s going to have to play better as well. So four on the shot clock. They had to toss it up near the rim. Another excellent defensive possession by the Clippers. Kakitus to Baldwin. Wide to the left. just short. Got to get somebody to close that window up top. So, Rice checks out of the game. BJ Stewart checks in. Lakers down by eight. Nine minutes to go in regulation. Bronny running the point. Ronnie grabbed by Sanders. wants the cap. Yeah, Barney trying to split the trap right there. Sanders was having none of it, seeing that he was at a disadvantage. Went for the quick foul. Like I said, Lakers right now, they’re a little bit stuck in mud. Open that court up a little bit. Try to run some action, some mid pick and roll action. See if you can get maybe you can get Slider on the weak side or the strong side. You got to do something a little bit different because right now the offense has just been stuck in mud. There you go. face the guy you fall. Like when you’re when you’re struggling offensively, you got to make sure the guys that can score get the ball to get you out of that situation. When you’re having those type of struggles, it can’t be everybody gets to touch it. Okay, we’re going to get certain guys certain looks cuz we got to get more efficient. So Schwider, the second Laker in double figures with 10. Ronnie, the leading scoreer for LA with 12. Crosscourt to Swider. Can’t shoot. Hey, hand down. Man down. Exactly. Shout out Mark Jackson. You got to be right up on slider as soon as he catches it. If you’re take if you’re a step away, you’re a step too late. Fulitis. Same thing can be said for him. Front rim. They call the foul underneath the basket. But here it is. And see Swad right there. Like that that chop step when you’re try. You can’t chop your steps with him. You have to run him straight off the line. You almost have to force You have to play Swider different than you do most basketball players. You want to take You want most guys to have to take that shot. You want him to run him off the three-point line and force him to take layups. And to your point, in the first quarter, that was absolutely the game plan. There was four hands in his face anytime he caught the basketball. Ronnie to Swider. had a little bit of space but not to reset. Got to go Ronnie for three. Hauling it in for the Clippers. Simpson on Jameson gets past the big man but can’t scoop and score. Flowers on the deck. Spider picks it up. Stewart to Basley. Ronnie from the corner. Has the right number. I said when you’re when you’re struggling, you got to make sure certain guys get shot. We see a corner three from Slider. We see another corner three for Bronny. 80 run for the Lakers. Neerhouser to Miller. Tries to find him inside, but Brendon a bounce pass to where Stewart could get his hands on it. And right here you just see Bronnie taking his time, not forcing it. Neita Hower didn’t want to come out there. Most big fellas don’t want Most big fellas don’t want to come off the P out of the paint right there. And then you see Bronny having a good time with his bench. Ronnie three for four from long range as he gets some rest. Game tied at 51. Told you he had the best plus minus. That’s going up. Plus 17 now with Ronnie on the floor. connect to Basley. The fade away on the baseline. Jimson tried to create another opportunity. Miller swinging it to Simpson. He thought about it. Then Miller all the way to the hole out past the outstretched hands of Jimson. Great take by Miller. Jimson came over it. He was just a step too late. Slider and connect. Two outstanding shooters on the floor for the Lakers. Stewart to Swider. Head up. Defense was there and he still got it off. Simpson pushing it the other way. [Music] In the corner to tell. He looks inside but it’s connect with the steel behind the back. find Swatter. That’s an open look for him. We told you if you’re not there on catch, you are too late. So Swider with eight of his 16 coming in the fourth. Lakers up by one. They trail by five after three. Toenhouse slow to come set the screen. Simpson to tell for great response. Clippers back up by two. Man, the Clippers needed that one. It seemed like the Lakers taking the momentum in this game. High screen and roll. Stewart inside the Jimmerson. Good hands by the big man. He hits the deck. Body’s on the floor. We have a jump ball. The second consecutive game coming down to the wire here the Thomas and Max Center, the campus of UNLV. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Finish [Music] [Applause] [Music] shot off early, but he’s got eight in the fourth, helping the Lakers to mount a comeback. They’re down by two and he’s getting the offense going and flowing. For more on Cole Swider, here’s Autumn Johnson. Yeah, guys, Cole has been lighting it up offensively here in summer league and Laker summer league head coach hard Lindsay Harding said he she really sent a lot of praise saying Cole Spider is just a true professional and her opinion an NBA player and people just look at his skills but as a whole he makes really good reads, takes the right shots and all around has a huge impact and eight points so far. He is a differencemaker when his number is called. So Cole Schwider has played for Miami, Detroit, Toronto in his 35 NBA games. Rest of time is spent in the G- League. Miller gets it off. Basisley on the boards. I tell you what, if I’m the Lakers, I’m running something trying to get Swider the ball again. as we see a legal screen set by JSON. So for the Lakers, their 17th turnover. Really both teams even there. 17 turnovers for the Lakers, 16 for the Clippers, 11 points off turnovers for the Clippers, 14 points off turnovers for the Lakers. That’s kind of what we see across the board statistically. A very balanced game for these two teams. Clippers with this two-point advantage. 430 to go here in the fourth quarter. Lefty versus lefty. Basisley and Miller. The two southpaws. Flowers in the corner. Stewart and Koko working the twoman game. Stewart to the hole. Nice take by Stewart. That was tough. Really good defense right there, but Stewart better offense. Finishing with his off hand at the basket. 5656 under four minutes to go in the fourth. Our last game went into overtime. We had a game winner in the extra session. We got Bronny James checking back in for the Lakers. Ronnie with the highest plus minus that we’ve seen from any player on the floor so far. Plus 17. Can he have an impact late in this one? Miller driving. Finds Simpson in a corner in and out. 22% from three-point range for the Clippers. And a foul on Miller as he just held KO. Glo set a good screen right there. Miller refusing to let the big fell roll to the basket. Ronnie James to inbound. Dribble handoff. Ronnie James and Koko got the switch. Ronnie James working on Baldwin. Excellent perimeter defense. Better offense by Ronnie James who is now 17 points, leading the Lakers in scoring. Miller on the other end. Right back at you. Clippers back on top by one. Back and forth we go. Ronnie driving, dishing, slider off, connect off as well. Didn’t need it. Rushed it. Got like you’re down one. Get a quality look right there. Get back that ball out. Run some more offense. Baldwin wide open. Man, Baldwin’s last couple of jumpers have been way off. It’s Simpson fighting for the rebound. Simpson nowhere to go. The foul is called on and he’s his case to the coaching staff saying I did not touch him. But [Music] [Music] [Music] good summer league run, his third consecutive game. Playing well, but this his best game. 17 points so far. But Brendan, a plus 13 in a game where his team is down by one shows the impact that he’s had. The highest plus minus of any player. Yeah. And the thing thing that I like is that he’s having a really good game, but he’s not greedy. He’s not out there actively hunting shots. He’s letting the game come to him. He’s showing calm, confidence, poise. You can tell this is his second year in the summer league. Last year it didn’t quite look like this. There were times to kind of look rattled, understanding everybody was watching him. All eyes on him, seeing what he was going to do. Now he’s kind of settled in. Averaged just under 19 points per game for the South Bay Lakers in the G- League. So right on his GLeague average, if you will. Spin. Has the space against Baldwin. Now Flowers is there. Simpson with the help defense. Ronnie clinging to it. Basisley has it. Looking for Slider who gets it off. Beats the shot clock. Can’t get the bucket. Clippers up by three. Two minutes to go. I tell you what though, Simpson did an excellent job helping on Bronny James’ drive right there. Baldwin going right at connect. Two chances. No man. ball with two great looks. Couldn’t pay it off. Coming down the stretch of this ball game, you got to make shots like that inside. Connect pushing away from the basket. Six seconds on the shot clock. Stewart pass Flowers. No. The Clippers with yet another immaculate defensive possession. You’re the Clippers. You need a really solid possession right here to put some pressure on the Lakers. Such a lowscoring game. Such an important possession. Basisley, Miller, Mono, Emano, advantage, Miller. Man, he got right into Basley’s chest. Extended that ball far out there with the left hand and threw it right off the glass. Critical possession for the Lakers. It’s a seven nothing run by the Clippers. They’re up by five. Bronny to Basley to the basket. out to connect in and out. Swider on the glass, but Simpson comes up with a steal. Blocking foul on Basisley. And if you are the Lakers, that’s the look that you want. Dalton connect, but he’s ice cold. Three for 14 from the field, 1 for seven from three-point range. Yeah, D. It’s been a struggle right from the onset. something just didn’t seem like he really ever could all the way get it going in this game. Had a little moment there at the end of the second quarter where we thought he was going to turn it around, but then man, he just hopped right back on the struggle bus. Clippers with a five-point lead. Lakers need a stop with 20 seconds to go. Simpson pass Bronny. Good defense by Bronnie James and a shot clock violation. You talk about impact plays. Xonnie having a defensive play there. Excellent defense by James. But only 16 seconds now left in the game. So the Lakers have to go quick, get a bucket. He was saying something to the referees about that possession. Either way, the Lakers with the tall hill to climb, down by five with 16 seconds left to play. Oh, look. I’m bottomless. Just like bottomless apps for $9.99 at Buffalo. [Music] Jordan Miller with some clutch buckets for the Clippers. He’s had 20 or more in all of his games here in summer league. Doesn’t look like he’s going to get there in this one with 15. But some clutch buckets for the Clippers. They have this five-point advantage over the Lakers with 17 seconds left to play. But an efficient 15 on five for nine from the field. Yeah, very efficient. And that last bucket was absolutely clutch and I just loved everything about it. Strong drive downhill, got into the defender’s chest, and it was one of those situations where either I’m going to score this or you’re going to foul me. I like guys that have that mentality. The Lakers need something magical to happen here. The passen stolen by Miller and he’s up to 17 and that feels like your dagger. Seven point advantage for the Clippers. Ronnie, step over. No. Miller on a fast break and he does get to 19 and the Clippers they come away with the win 6758 in the battle of Los Angeles in Las Vegas. Ronnie James 17 points, five rebounds, five assists. But it was Jordan Miller in the fourth quarter for the Clippers leading the way with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
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