ESPN reporter fires again at Bronny James nepotism complaints: ‘The NBA is filled with nepotism’

As anticipated, the subject of nepotism got here up through the broadcast of the 2024 NBA Draft because the inevitable selection of Bronny James by the Los Angeles Lakers neared. And with Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul, reportedly telling any workforce making an attempt to draft him that LeBron James’ son will play in Australia if he’s chosen towards his will, it’s no shock that some unfamiliar with how widespread that particular agent tactic is would get upset.

But NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski had a message for viewers watching ESPN at residence: Anyone crying about nepotism influencing the Bronny choose ought to flip their eye to your entire league, not simply LeBron James, Bronny and the Lakers.

Woj is true. From Thanasis Antetokounmpo with the Bucks to Chris Smith with the Knicks back in the day, one can argue there are many instances of NBA roster spots all through historical past going to a barely much less gifted participant as a favor to maintain their extra heralded sibling comfortable. And it’s not simply rosters: NBA teaching staffs are littered with sons of current or former head coaches (or even players’ fathers), and entrance places of work often populated with the progeny of previous execs… to not point out, typically, the owners’ kids as nicely.

Plus, it’s not like Bronny is completely unqualified. Previous to the cardiac arrest he suffered in 2023, he was broadly mocked as a first-round choose, or even a lottery selection. And even after a largely underwhelming season at USC, our personal Ricky O’Donnell nonetheless gave the Lakers’ choice of him a B grade:

James’ freshman 12 months at USC began with a terrifying heart episode early within the offseason, and he by no means actually discovered his footing after that. James is brief for a guard at 6’1.5 barefoot, however he has lengthy arms, a robust chest, and a very good mentality for a job participant. James isn’t a giant scorer, however he fights for unfastened balls, defends larger gamers, and areas the ground as a three-point shooter. He must shoot it at a excessive stage to stay within the NBA, however he’s proven sufficient at the highschool stage at Sierra Canyon to have an opportunity to stay.

None of that is to say nepotism is sweet. It’s simply to say that this case is simply distinctive nepotism by NBA requirements in a single sense: We’ve actually by no means seen an NBA participant ok, for lengthy sufficient, to not solely play with or towards their son, however to be gifted sufficient nonetheless to push their workforce to draft him.

But whereas LeBron and Bronny are 1/1 in that respect, members of the family serving to one another get jobs within the NBA, both on a roster or within the teaching and govt ranks? That’s nothing new, so we shouldn’t act like it’s.