By Phoenix Guevara, Nov. 19, 2024
When LeBron James first shared his aspiration to play alongside his son LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., many dismissed it as improbable. Yet, on June 22, that dream was actualized when the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th overall pick.
While their debut on opening night made history, it should raise concerns rather than cheers. Bronny’s selection spotlights the influence of status in sports over merit-based achievement, which could be detrimental to the rookie’s development.
The NBA is no stranger to family legacy. According to CBS Sports, there have now been 68 fathers and sons drafted into the league. However, the Jameses’ achievement of playing simultaneously was its first.
In other professional American sports, four father-and-son duos have played simultaneously. Most notably, Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. were teammates on the Seattle Mariners during the 1990 and 1991 MLB seasons. However, unlike Bronny, Griffey Jr. entered the league as the first overall draft pick and was hailed as a generational talent.
In the modern era of sports, with social media hype intensifying every story, name recognition and marketing potential can overshadow on-court performance. Bronny has garnered this kind of disproportionate attention since childhood due to his name. The basketball world tuned in to watch his games as early as middle school to see if he had inherited his father’s gifts.
Bronny attended Sierra Canyon Hight School and was notably ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the ESPN 100 class of 2023. He received multiple top-college offers before enrolling at the University of Southern California.
But just before his freshman year, Bronny suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, sidelining him for months. He commendably played the second half of the season despite concerns over his health and future in basketball. In his 25 games at USC, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
Many critics gave leeway due to his circumstance and fans were just glad to see him play, but with his stats, most players would not consider testing the NBA Draft waters. Bronny, however, enlisted his name into the 2024 NBA Draft.
Ahead of the draft, rumors emerged that teams considered selecting Bronny to lure his superstar father. The Golden State Warriors, who had a pick ahead of the Lakers, stated post draft that they “respect the wishes” of LeBron, according to a report from ESPN.
The orchestration behind Bronny’s selection runs deeper than surface-level cooperation between teams.
According to a Sports Illustrated report, Rich Paul — both James’ agent and a longtime family friend — reportedly reached out to teams before the draft, warning that if they selected Bronny, he would play overseas instead.
This behind-the-scenes maneuvering raises questions about the integrity of the draft process and the power of player representatives in modern sports. In the end, Bronny was conveniently still available at pick No. 55, allowing the Lakers to unite the James duo with what appeared to be an assist from their power and connections.
The Lakers’ selection of Bronny demonstrates the complex intersection of basketball decisions and business opportunities. While his late second-round selection suggests a realistic evaluation of his current abilities, the marketing potential of the father-son narrative presented value beyond just basketball.
“LeBron brings in revenue and media attention to every team he’s ever played for,” said Aaron Coronel, a junior liberal studies student and an avid basketball fan. “LeBron is also considered the GOAT among many people and has status that no other NBA player has.” Early returns on this historic partnership have been underwhelming, as many predicted. Through NBA Summer League and six forgettable preseason games averaging 4.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists, Bronny’s play has been modest at best.
The regular season opener featuring both Jameses generated massive media attention and fan interest, validating the marketing appeal of their partnership. During the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bronny played for three minutes and did not score.
“I don’t think he is NBA-ready; let him play in the G-League and develop there,” Coronel said.
The scrutiny will remain intense as Bronny embarks on the rest of his rookie season under the bright lights. The advantages of being born into athletic royalty remain evident; however, these privileges come with unprecedented pressure. His performance is measured not just against other rookies, but against the standard set by his father.
In the end, while the father-son dynamic intrigues, the true measure of this partnership’s legacy will be predicated on Bronny’s growth and contributions. Only time will tell whether his selection represents a feel-good family story or merely nepotism.
Feature image by Katelyn Chow