It seems like someone finally stepped up to give all the ridiculers a timely reminder about young hoopers in the NBA. Well, it’s not that it’s completely new information. Rather, just the aspect that nearly everyone has conveniently forgotten in favor of negative criticism and the like. And one such young basketball player who has been getting the short end of the stick is none other than the son of LeBron James, Bronny.

Of course, the 19-year-old is quite used to it by now. He’s been hearing and facing them since his birth. However, it would be foolish to think that all these comments wouldn’t take a toll on the recipient. It was under such circumstances that the Dallas Mavericks assistant coach, Jared Dudley, arrived with an eye-opening message.

Now, Dudley did not speak specifically in favor of the Lakers No. 9 rookie, but LeBron found it to be just the right content that sheds light on his son’s current situation. In his presser, the former 2020 NBA champion said, “There will be some 25-point scorers here at Summer League that will not play in the NBA next year. There will be some guys who average 5 or 6 who will be.” 

James shared the insightful reminder in his IG story with one of his usual subtle-dig captions. “Say it louder for the 🍿 section in the front and back!” Coach Dudley, in the same video, continued, “Take the stats out. The stats is more of dead air now. Every team has two stars. Can you defend multiple positions? Is your decision-making at a high enough level? What is your asset? Are you a shooter? Are you a grinder? That’s what you have to find!”

“So that’s what I tell these boys. ‘It’s hard to listen to social media and your friends. They want you to average 20. That’s not really it.’ We had two guys that get deals. Last year in the Summer League, they came off the bench. Braxton Keys played three games, had a game-winning dunk, and went to Denver. It’s not about playing time. It’s about what you do with that playing time.”

Clearly, Jared Dudley made sure to get everyone’s attention with this powerful and thought-provoking speech. And that included current hopefuls, future ones, their parents and guardians, and perhaps, it might have just gotten across to all those naysayers, as well. Because the man just shattered the very foundation of their criticism.

Top Summer League Prospects ≠ NBA deal

While college basketball players do need a pretty good resume to go with their performance to get a place in one of the 30 NBA teams, it isn’t necessarily the case in the Summer League. The sad truth is that being a Summer League MVP or a breakout star does not automatically turn these young men into NBA greats. Those who showed flashes of greatness end up being career G-Leaguers.

One of the notable prospects in the 2014 summer league was the son of former NBA champion and 3x All-Star, Glen Rice. His son, who goes by the same name, was averaging close to 25 points per game and shooting an impressive 53% from the field which saw him bag the MVP. The Wizards, who acquired him by trading their 38th and 54th selections to the 76ers in 2013, were considered to have secured the sweetest of deals.

However, the 6’6 guard barely saw any action, finishing his Washington stint in just 16 games, averaging 2.7 points in 9.5 minutes per game. In 2015, he was waived. Yet, a few other names from the Summer League that ideally wouldn’t have made it to the NBA have seen great success. DeAndre Jordan, Patrick Beverley, and Serge Ibaka all had lackluster Summer League stints. But would you have more to say about them than Glen Rice Jr.?

Bronny, for his part, is gathering so much of the spotlight, thanks to his bloodline. And that is something people will forever hold over the former USC guard’s head. But now he has the opportunity to not limit his legacy to be known only as the son of LeBron James.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video