LeBron James has always said he wanted to play with his son in the NBA before ending his career
On February 15, The Athletic reported a surprising development: the Los Angeles Lakers were considering drafting Bronny James for the upcoming NBA season.
This news was met with widespread skepticism from the NBA community. Many fans and analysts argued that Bronny, despite his lineage, is not yet ready for the NBA, and that the move was simply to try and persuade LeBron James to stay with the team.
- NCAA. Oakland State fans are wild: Distracting opposing free throw shooter with a haircut in the stands!
- NCAA. Mysterious Angel Reese post sparks speculation: Stay quiet for now
On February 15, The Athletic reported a surprising development: the Los Angeles Lakers were considering drafting Bronny James for the upcoming NBA season.
This news was met with widespread skepticism from the NBA community. Many fans and analysts argued that Bronny, despite his lineage, is not yet ready for the NBA, and that the move was simply to try and persuade LeBron James to stay with the team.
Among those voicing concerns is sports analyst Doug Gottlieb, who made comments advising Bronny not to take this road on his own show.
“I think it’s a risky move for Bronny James. I just do,” Gottlieb explained on the Doug Gottlieb Show.
“I believe Bronny can benefit from being a bench player, occasionally starting for a struggling USC team, and eventually becoming an all-league caliber player and making it to an NBA roster.
“That’s who he is. He’s a four-year college player who, with some help from his father’s name and lineage, and his experience with big games, can eventually become an NBA player. By drafting him now, you’re taking away three valuable college years of experience from him.”
Why is Bronny James being pushed towards the 2024 NBA Draft?
The consensus among critics is that Bronny James is not yet at the level required for the NBA.
As a freshman with the USC Trojans, Bronny averages just 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. It’s important to consider his health challenges from the past summer, which further supports the argument for him to stay with the Trojans for a few more years.
Comparing Bronny to his father, LeBron James, reveals a stark difference. When LeBron entered the NBA in 2003, he was a highly touted prospect, averaging 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals in his senior year of high school. He lived up to the hype and became a superstar.
Bronny, on the other hand, doesn’t even properly match up to some of the prospects on his own team. USC freshman PG Isiah Collier, a Top 25 prospect in ESPN’s mock draft, averages 15.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
While LeBron may want to share the NBA stage with his son, it might be best to wait a few more years.
