Rookie Revival: Bronny James and Quincy Olivari Shine in Preseason Finale
The Los Angeles Lakers may have ended their preseason on a sour note, but two of their young guns provided a glimmer of hope for the future. Bronny James, the eldest son of LeBron James, and Quincy Olivari, an Exhibit 10 signee, stole the show in the Lakers’ 132-74 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Bronny Bounces Back
After struggling mightily in his first five preseason games, James finally found his footing against the Warriors. He scored 17 points on 7-for-17 shooting, adding four rebounds, three steals, and one block in 35 minutes. The 20-year-old’s performance was a welcome respite from his earlier struggles, which saw him score just eight points on 4-for-20 shooting.
“I think for him and all our younger players, all the moments are building blocks,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “Not just the good moments. The bad moments are learning opportunities.”
Olivari’s Dream Come True
Quincy Olivari, on the other hand, had a night to remember. The rookie led the Lakers with 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting, including five three-pointers, and added seven rebounds. But what made his night truly special was the opportunity to meet his childhood idol, Stephen Curry.
Olivari showed Curry a video of himself as a child getting an autograph from the Warriors star, and Curry gifted him a pair of his sneakers and autographed them too. The moment left Olivari fighting back tears as he recounted the story to reporters.
A Glimmer of Hope
While the Lakers’ preseason finale was a disappointment, the performances of James and Olivari provided a glimmer of hope for the future. With James signed to a four-year, $7.9 million contract and Olivari on an Exhibit 10 deal, the Lakers may have found two young players who can contribute to their success in the years to come.
As Olivari said, “I just want a job in the NBA. Like, it’s the only thing I’ve wanted since I was like 5 years old.” With performances like these, he may just get his wish.
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