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Former NBA forward John Salley believes a level of jealousy is at play with the criticism of the Los Angeles Lakers' decision to select Bronny James in the 2024 NBA draft and pair him with his father, LeBron James.
"I love that Bronny got drafted to the Lakers," said Salley, a four-time champion across his pro career, to TMZ Sports. "And everybody talking all that smack, hey listen, if my dad had the power, if my dad was the leading scorer, if my dad was able to take a pay cut so I could get a check — it's like no other business."
He added that the Jameses' detractors are "just mad they didn't think they could do it."
Multiple things can be true.
Rich Paul, who represents LeBron and Bronny, told Chris Haynes for Bleacher Report in May that the United States is "built on the nepotism," citing multiple examples at the executive level across sports. In almost any other business, people wouldn't think twice about a son going to work for the same employer as his dad.
But sports aren't like most other businesses.
Using a second-round pick on a player who averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds as a freshman and then giving him nearly $8 million would've been questioned regardless. James' familial connections only amplified the dialogue.
The pressure on Bronny to perform will be even higher as well. Attention would've followed him wherever he went, but him teaming up with LeBron in L.A. is different than if he would've landed on a rebuilding team in a smaller market.
The 19-year-old is reportedly expected to spend a lot of his rookie season with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League. That should help lessen the spotlight somewhat, but few rookies from the 2024 class will face more scrutiny in the upcoming season.
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