On July 13, the NBA Las Vegas Summer League kicks off with a match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers have already taken the stage in the previous California Summer League, but their performance was quite poor, suffering three consecutive losses without securing a single win. Among this roster, there is a player who has attracted considerable attention – Bronny James, son of LeBron James. He has made two appearances so far, but his performance has been less than stellar. In his debut against the Kings, he shot 2-for-9, scoring only 4 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists; in the second game against the Heat, he shot 1-for-3, scoring just 3 points, but contributed with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks, showcasing his defensive prowess.
Bronny has struggled on the offensive end, but the Lakers’ 17th pick this year, Knecht, has gradually found his rhythm. In the last game against the Heat, he exploded for 20 points and 9 rebounds, narrowly missing out on helping the team secure their first win, unfortunately, the team fell apart in the final moments. Facing the Rockets this time, the Lakers’ goal remains to clinch their first win in the summer league, but the opponents are also quite formidable, featuring rookie third pick Sheppard, along with last year’s scoring weapon, Whitmore, making them a tough opponent to handle.
This will be the Rockets’ first appearance in the summer league, led by rookie third pick Sheppard, whose shooting ability stands out. His debut is highly anticipated. During the 23-24 season, Sheppard played 33 games for the University of Kentucky, averaging 28.9 minutes per game, scoring 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, with a field goal percentage of 53.6% and a three-point shooting percentage of 52.1%, demonstrating an astonishing efficiency. The Rockets have high expectations for him.
In addition to Sheppard, the Rockets also have sophomore Whitmore, who had an outstanding performance in the summer league last summer. In his rookie season of the 23-24 season, he averaged 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. It’s believed that Whitmore will once again dominate the court, given his exceptional scoring ability. Additionally, the Rockets’ new addition AJ Griffin is also on the roster, acquired through a trade involving the 44th pick this year.
This game is worth watching. The Lakers’ Bronny James remains the focal point, while the Rockets’ third pick Sheppard and Whitmore are also noteworthy. It is expected that both teams will deliver an exciting showdown.
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