This story was originally published by Dead Spin
It’s also worth noting that Bronny James handled the media frenzy leading up to the draft like a champ. He had every reason to be one of the most arrogant players in this class, but he truly does seem like he has a good head on his shoulders, and for that, we commend him.
But the hold that Bronny James’ agent, Rich Paul, and LeBron James have on the league and the Lakers is beyond concerning at this point.
Paul was reportedly calling teams other than the Lakers and Phoenix Suns and telling them not to draft Bronny James, and if they did, the 19-year-old would go play in Australia.
Excuse me?
Go let your client play in Australia, then. Paul could have been bluffing, but to even have the audacity to tell teams that they’re essentially wasting a pick if they opt to select Bronny James is completely out of line, unprofessional, and a bad, bad look for both Bronny and LeBron James.
After all, this isn’t the next Michael Jordan we’re talking about here. This is a second-round pick, and a late second-round pick at that. The other 57 players who were taken off the board on Wednesday and Thursday had no say as to where they were going—simply making the NBA was enough.
However, Bronny James, with the assistance of Paul, got to pick and choose.
Nepotism is all around us. We don’t just see it in sports, but when we do, it often changes the whole dynamic of a team, even a league. You probably hated the coach’s son back in Little League, didn’t you? Especially if he hit .085 and had to be tucked away in right field all game.
And yes, we’ve seen nepotism in the NBA before. Thanasis Antetokounmpo would probably be slinging patties if it weren’t for Giannis, and let’s all pray that another Plumlee brother doesn’t rise up through the ranks.
This is a whole new level, though.
Take Bronny James’ numbers from his one season at Southern California (4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game) and give them to any other player whose last name isn’t James. There’s no shot they would have gotten drafted this year.
That’s not to say that Bronny James never would have reached this level. Had he spent a few more years with the Trojans, he’d probably end up being a first-round pick a few years down the road.
However, the NBA has no problem letting this one slide because of the storyline. A father and son sharing the court as teammates has never been done, and yeah, it’s a cool story and all, but where do we draw the line from here?
Who will be the next superstar who sees their kid get special treatment because of his last name? Will coaching jobs get passed down from father to undeserving son or daughter? Are agents just going to be able to dictate where draftees are headed? These are all questions we have to now think about since Paul decided to be Mr. Tough Guy on Thursday.
Sit back and enjoy history for now. LeBron James’ wish to play with his son is likely going to be granted. But the NBA also needs to put up some nepotism roadblocks if it doesn’t want a bunch of Thanasis Antetokounmpos running around in 10 years.
