In a highly anticipated NBA summer league matchup, Bronny James played great defense against No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg

LAS VEGAS — Thomas & Mack Center was buzzing on Thursday night, when No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks took on Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The much-anticipated Summer League matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks featuring Bronny James Jr. and this year's first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, more than lived up to the hype on the first day of the tournament in Las Vegas.

One year after Bronny was the Day 1 centerpiece of his first summer league, he returns a more confident and evolved player.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James and Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg matched up in a highly anticipated summer league battle on Thursday. Flagg's Mavs won 87-85, and afterward, James commented on Flagg's great potential and also talked about defending the No.

Frenzy became bedlam on the next play. Flagg talked trash to James, ran to his spot on the left wing, pivoted off the catch and nailed the shot before turning to exult with his future Mavericks varsity teammates, who cheered him on decked out in casual wear from their courtside seats.

Bronny James Needs To Improve These 3 Things To Remain In The NBA originally appeared on Fadeaway World.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard, 20, took to Instagram to shout out a series of Whitfield's images showing off her favorite seasonal highlights