This is not the author’s opinion, but just a negative impression formed by fans of the orange ball.
The second round of the NBA draft took place on the night of June 27-28. Normally the selection of the second thirty basketball players does not attract as much attention as that of the first, but this year it has been quite the opposite. The top prospects in the 2024 draft frankly paled in comparison to their predecessors, but there was real intrigue at the end of the rookie draft. This year, Bronny James, the son of the Lakers’ top star LeBron James, participated in the draft.
The King’s blood relative does not have a standout game to even qualify for the status of promising basketball player. However, this did not bother the Los Angeles team management, and James Jr. was selected by the Lakers 55th overall. This will make LeBron and Bronny the first father-son duo in NBA history to play the same professional game. A beautiful story that will definitely be well monetized. But is there any sporting logic in this choice by the Lakers? If you expect it that way, we have bad news.
Bronny James
Photo: David Becker/Getty Images
LeBron James is an NBA superstar. A four-time champion, four-time MVP, 20-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer. On top of all this, James is Michael Jordan’s number one contender for the title of greatest basketball player ever. And if we put aside all fan preferences, then LeBron is downright inferior in this matchup.
Criticism of his team and partners, leaving for another club and deliberately creating a super team to win the title, disrespect to coaches and ultimatums for their dismissal, and then inviting convenient mentors – all this is hanging in the balance for James in the confrontation with Jordan. Behind Michael is greatness, which he created himself and did not pursue anyone.
Of course, LeBron has milestones where he surpasses Jordan. For example, in the number of points scored in a career. James is the leading scorer in NBA history and the only one to surpass 40,000 points. But obviously this is not enough to be considered the greatest in history. And LeBron himself understands this, which is why he took extreme measures. Playing with my son, especially on the same team, is definitely something that will go down in history forever. And I don’t care that Bronny is not an NBA-level basketball player and that LeBron himself has artificially dragged him into this history.
LeBron James and Bronny
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Bronny was an average player in school, but because of his father’s big name, he was constantly being teased for several years leading up to the draft.
In May 2023, it was announced that James Jr. would play in the NCAA for the USC Trojans. Two months later, Bronny was knocked unconscious during training. There were later reports that he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Two days later he was released from the hospital and in December the heir to the King made his NCAA debut. Against Long Beach State, Bronny scored four points (1/3), three rebounds and two assists. After the cardiac arrest incident, a version even appeared on fan forums that this was a setup/filler in the media so that LeBron could use this as an excuse if Bronny did not enter the NBA and they never played together.
In total, James Jr. has 25 NCAA appearances. His best game was against Oregon State, where he recorded 15 points, one rebound, one assist and one steal. Bronny finished his first and only NCAA season with stats of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Even in this component, LeBron lost to Michael Jordan. Some may not know, but Marcus Jordan – the son of the legendary Jordan himself – also played in the NCAA, and not just one season, but three. But even if we compare Bronny and Marcus in their debut seasons, it was Jordan who was better.
Comparing stats between Bronny James and Marcus Jordan in their debut seasons in the NCAA
Photo: “Championship”
And if we take the statistics for the three seasons, Jordan Jr. averaged 12.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in 94 games. But even with such indicators, he did not end up in the NBA. But Bronny, with his modest numbers, ended up not only in the NBA, but in the Lakers. I wonder how this happened?
This summer, LeBron’s contract with the Lakers was expiring, and last season there were stories that if any team drafted Bronny, James Sr. would move to this club to play with his son. Of course, many were interested in such a party, but at the same time, LeBron and Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul, prohibited other NBA teams, except the Lakers, from selecting James Jr. in the draft . Former Golden State general manager and current ESPN insider Bob Myers said during the draft that Paul threatened teams that if they drafted James Jr., he would go play in Australia. In general, a circus and nothing more.
The Lakers drafted Bronny. Everyone is happy, except the real basketball fans. James Jr. is not an NBA-level player and everyone understands that.
What is James Jr. like? A 188 cm defender who moves rather passively. He has no explosive first step, no dribbling ability, no ability to shoot consistently. Game IQ also raises questions: frequent mistakes in shifts and in attack in general. Lack of playmaking ability, constant turnovers. If you try to find the positives, you can hardly name defense. Bronny has a good reach (201 centimeters), which allows him to be a kind of liability in defense, especially on the perimeter. However, this is insignificant to become not just a star, but even a stable player in the NBA. In the NBA, you have to emphasize a healthy person. But in the NBA of LeBron and Adam Silver, this is acceptable. If it brings money and publicity, then it is adequate. There are already jokes that LeBron sleeps with his teammate’s mother, that James Sr. follows in the footsteps of Delonte West, etc.
LeBron James with his family
Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
The Bronny James draft is not about basketball. This is anti-basketball. Yes, this is an interesting story for Netflix, jersey and ticket sales and many other things, but not for the sport. Right now, James Jr. is someone else’s spot in the best league in the world simply because his dad is desperately trying to outdo the elusive Jordan. If you’re a LeBron fan, you should know that this is sad for neutral fans.
Do you think this is the end? No. Two years later, another son of LeBron, Bryce, comes to the league and also plays basketball. I wonder if James Sr. will decide to wait for him too. And what’s more interesting is: Will Bronny still be in the NBA at that point?
