It’s additionally price noting that Bronny James dealt with the media frenzy main as much as the draft like a champ. He had each purpose to be some of the smug gamers on this class, however he really does look like he has a very good head on his shoulders, and for that, we commend him.
However the maintain that Bronny James’ agent, Wealthy Paul, and LeBron James have on the league and the Lakers is past regarding at this level.
Paul was reportedly calling groups aside from the Lakers and Phoenix Suns and telling them to not draft Bronny James, and in the event that they did, the 19-year-old would go play in Australia.
Excuse me?
Go let your shopper play in Australia, then. Paul may have been bluffing, however to even have the audacity to inform groups that they’re primarily losing a decide in the event that they choose to pick out Bronny James is totally out of line, unprofessional, and a foul, dangerous search for each Bronny and LeBron James.
In spite of everything, this isn’t the subsequent Michael Jordan we’re speaking about right here. It is a second-round decide, and a late second-round decide at that. The opposite 57 gamers who have been taken off the board on Wednesday and Thursday had no say as to the place they have been going—merely making the NBA was sufficient.
Nevertheless, Bronny James, with the help of Paul, received to choose and select.
Nepotism is throughout us. We don’t simply see it in sports activities, however after we do, it typically adjustments the entire dynamic of a crew, even a league. You in all probability hated the coach’s son again in Little League, didn’t you? Particularly if he hit .085 and needed to be tucked away in proper area all sport.
And sure, we’ve seen nepotism within the NBA earlier than. Thanasis Antetokounmpo would in all probability be slinging patties if it weren’t for Giannis, and let’s all pray that one other Plumlee brother doesn’t stand up by the ranks.
It is a complete new stage, although.
Take Bronny James’ numbers from his one season at Southern California (4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists per sport) and provides them to another participant whose final title isn’t James. There’s no shot they might have gotten drafted this 12 months.
That’s to not say that Bronny James by no means would have reached this stage. Had he spent a couple of extra years with the Trojans, he’d in all probability find yourself being a first-round decide a couple of years down the highway.
Nevertheless, the NBA has no downside letting this one slide due to the storyline. A father and son sharing the courtroom as teammates has by no means been completed, and yeah, it’s a cool story and all, however the place will we draw the road from right here?
Who would be the subsequent celebrity who sees their child get particular remedy due to his final title? Will teaching jobs get handed down from father to undeserving son or daughter? Are brokers simply going to have the ability to dictate the place draftees are headed? These are all questions we’ve to now take into consideration since Paul determined to be Mr. Robust Man on Thursday.
Sit again and luxuriate in historical past for now. LeBron James’ want to play together with his son is probably going going to be granted. However the NBA additionally must put up some nepotism roadblocks if it doesn’t need a bunch of Thanasis Antetokounmpos operating round in 10 years.