After the first round of the NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers are only left to pick Bronny James in the second round. There is quite a hype around Bronny’s name being associated with the Lakers due to his father, LeBron James. However, the rumors and speculations have come true as the Lakers have picked Bronny James at no. 55 in the 2024 Draft. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office made sure that Bron-Bronny became the first ever father-son duo to be in the NBA at the same time.
The Suns had the 56th pick, and the Lakers were one above them with the 55th pick. Despite having the upper hand on the pick, the front office was clearly tense, as it is visible in the clip from ESPN. The sports network was continuously monitoring the draft when they captured Rob Pelinka and the whole front office’s anxiousness until they got Bronny. As soon as Rob dropped the phone, everyone relaxed in the war room while shaking hands with each other.
Though it was a great experience for LeBron as a father and the Lakers front office, it did not go well with the fans hoping for equal treatment, as one of the Sixers writers posted on X:
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whole thing has made me extremely uncomfortable
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) June 27, 2024
Apparently, the response from the Sixers writer came in response to the broad response from the Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin. Even the team insider himself expressed that Bronny seems to have almost no control over his life, considering the recent events over his life.
I'm gonna be honest, it's pretty sad to see a kid seem to have so little control over his own life. Yeah, he has some great opportunities in front of him as a result of those making decisions for him, but this has been a pretty rough watch from afar. https://t.co/aJzQCiAf7K
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) June 27, 2024
The response from Irwin was also a result of the latest update from Bob Myers’ statement on ESPN. As per Myers, agent Rich Paul had told the teams not to draft Bronny James. Finally, happiness was visible in how all the efforts paid off in the war room. However, one of the fans on X could not fathom the ones celebrating who claimed to have an unbiased approach till now.
Lot of casuals exposing themselves today. We’re all for it
— The Screenshot Merchant 💸 (@EanWaetjen) June 27, 2024
Another fan took a dig at Bronny for being an overlooked player, considering the lack of any official update or attention from the Lakers front office or JJ Redick till they finally got ahold of LeBron’s son.
I’d be embarrassed if GM’s wanting to give me a real chance were told by my dad to not even look at me
— Green Team🍀 (@GreenRunsBoston) June 27, 2024
All in all, the draft did go through some shady routes to get Bronny on the Lakers after the Rich Paul update. However, there is another perspective that there is nothing wrong with a father trying to play with his son. Even Bronny realized what he had gotten into, considering his reaction after the pick announcement.
Bronny James’ ‘Cap-On’ moment after landing into the Lakers
Just after Bronny James’ name was called in the second round, his younger sibling Bryce James posted a story on his IG story, recording his brother’s response. Interestingly, as soon as Bronny heard his sound, he shook his head. It almost seemed like he was reflecting on what he had gotten into. Something quite important and worth playing to prove his mettle. After that, the USC star put on his cap as he was ready to take the responsibility that he had been given.
It was just like a movie scene as the whole crowd in the room started clapping for Bronny after the announcement. Moreover, Bryce also did not just stop on the video. He further posted a couple of photos of himself with his elder brother to celebrate his pick. All of these pictures contained the on-court action from the James brothers.
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Overall, Bronny’s pick is still a stench for some entities in the NBA community, while others are celebrating it. Even questions might arise among the fanbase about its relevance. Yet the much-anticipated event of the draft has been completed. It might be the time that the Lakers look forward to building a strong team base to tackle their way into the playoffs in the next season. Can they make it? What’s your prediction? Let us know in the comments.
Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.
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