Sadly, making historical past as the primary father-son duo to play within the NBA collectively comes with a value — further criticism.
Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, mentioned he has skilled loads of negativity after being chosen by the Lakers because the No. 55 choose within the 2024 NBA Draft, however mentioned it’s nothing new.
“I’ve been coping with stuff like this my complete life so it’s nothing totally different. It’s extra amplified for positive, however I’ll get by it,” the 19-year-old, who was signed to a multi-year customary NBA contract with a number of assured seasons, per The Athletic, mentioned at his introductory press convention Tuesday.
After weeks of hypothesis about his future, the previous USC guard joined forces along with his father on the Lakers’ roster.
The youthful James mentioned there may be extra “stress” that comes with having the background that he has.
“For positive there’s an amplified quantity of stress,” Bronny advised reporters. “I’ve already seen it on social media and the web, speak about how I may not deserve a chance.”
Whereas Bronny understands that individuals will assume he was drafted to the Lakers solely due to his dad and that he may not be pretty much as good as the longer term Corridor of Famer, it’s undoubtedly powerful for him to listen to.
Nevertheless, he added that he’s been enhancing his abilities and trying to change into a viable piece for Los Angeles.
“I really feel like I’ve been given the chance to showcase what I can actually do as a result of I wasn’t on condition that a lot of a chance at SC,” Bronny, who suffered cardiac arrest final summer season, added. “I’m excited for what’s to return.”
A lot of this damaging sentiment doubtless arises from Bronny’s rocky freshman 12 months at USC, as he averaged 4.8 factors and a couple of.1 assists per sport.
JJ Redick — who was introduced because the Lakers’ new head coach on the finish of June — is a agency believer in Bronny’s capabilities and future position on the staff, denying any rumors of nepotism.
“Bronny has earned this. Bronny talks about his exhausting work. Bronny has earned this by exhausting, exhausting work,” Redick mentioned Tuesday.
“For us, prioritizing participant growth, we view Bronny as Case Examine 1, as a result of his base stage of really feel, athleticism, level of assault defender, taking pictures, passing. There’s loads to love about his sport and we type of construct out our participant growth program holistically, he’s going to have an incredible alternative to change into a superb NBA participant.”
Lakers basic supervisor Rob Pelinka additionally confirmed his help when he referred to as Bronny to tell him of being drafted.
“You’ve labored extremely exhausting, man. You’ve put in a ton of labor,” Pelinka mentioned in a behind-the-scenes video launched by the Lakers on social media.
Bronny James is predicted to take part within the NBA Summer time League, which is slated to start for the Lakers on July 6.
