Since the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs and Bronny James declared for the NBA Draft, his name was etched into every mock draft, rumor, and morning talk show.
Some outlets said he had a chance to be a first-round pick, while others said he would’ve been lucky to be a second-rounder.
Well, Thursday afternoon, Bronny was selected 55th overall to the Lakers, the storied franchise currently led by his father and all-time great, LeBron James.
I want to preface this, however. What I’m about to say is by no means Bronny’s fault, but rather, those around him.
Take Bronny’s name and replace it with a generic one, such as John Smith. John isn’t getting drafted into the NBA. But since LeBron is one of the most powerful figures in the world of sports, Bronny was always going to have a chance.
After measuring 6-foot-2, his chances of being a first-round pick declined. Then, once the combine was over, his agent, Rich Paul, also LeBron’s good friend and agent, told the NBA that Bronny would only workout for a handful of teams and not sign a two-way contract.
It’s not the first time players didn’t work out for every team that asked, but those players were normally top-10 picks, not No. 55.
Not only did Bronny fall out of the first round – imagine my shock – but when the second round began, ESPN’s Bob Meyers said on national television that Paul informed him that if teams were about to select Bronny, his client would go and play in Australia.
When I heard this, I knew he was a Laker.
Not only did I find it strange that Paul was hand-picking where Bronny was going to go, but about two or three picks before the Lakers’ selection, news broke that Los Angeles was going to be his next home.
Also, here’s my issue with the leak. When the Celtics were up the pick before LA, the coverage was just about the Bronny saga. When the pick was in for Boston, which selected Anton Watson, they didn’t air the deputy commissioner reading his name. It took away a life-changing moment for a player like Watson.
I understand the concept of viewership, but c’mon.
I’m not here to say Watson is going to get meaningful minutes – let alone, make the Celtics’ roster. But for him, it was just as much of a dream to be drafted as it was for Bronny.
Putting that aside, after Bronny was drafted, it was reported that he wanted to make his own name for himself. I’m sorry, but you could have done that by working out for other teams and not caring where you ended up.
Again, I want to be clear. This is not Bronny’s fault. I hope he has a good career – how can you not root for the kid?
As a lifelong C’s fan, I’d prefer him not wearing purple and gold, but this is to everyone else, including LeBron, who put a bigger spotlight on Bronny than he already had.
Maybe he can handle the pressure like his father, maybe he can’t. Either way, this situation went about the wrong way.
