Introduction to the Bronny James Saga

The 2024 NBA draft was met with intense scrutiny when the Lakers selected Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, with the 55th pick. Many questioned the move, citing concerns about nepotism and the potential distraction it could bring to the team. However, as the season has progressed, it has become clear that drafting Bronny James was a win for the Lakers.

The Initial Criticism

He has made 17 baskets. He has played in the equivalent of less than three full games. Seventeen Lakers have spent more time on the court. Sixteen Lakers have scored more points. He has been but a speck of lint on the Lakers’ lapel, a bit of dust at the end of the Lakers’ bench, a small and irrelevant bystander in the Lakers’ long and arduous journey. Yet, admit it, Bronny James has been huge.

The Turning Point

The nepo baby whose arrival last summer was ripped across the NBA landscape has quietly risen above the criticism and gradually drowned out the noise. Lakers forward LeBron James gets a high-five from his son, rookie guard Bronny James, during introductions before a game against the Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena last month. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) The famous son whose selection as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft was trashed in this space as “not very smart” has actually become part of something that borders on ingenious.

Admitting Mistakes

I was wrong. I was very wrong. There have been few things more right about this season than the saga of Bronny James. He hasn’t made an NBA impact, but he hasn’t been a distraction, either. Arguably the league’s most disliked and discounted rookie when the season began, he has won over fans, impressed teammates, inspired his father, and silenced the media. Shut me up, anyway.

The Transformation

Ten months ago, when the Lakers acquired the oldest son of their best player, I wrote that the move was an insensitive joke. Ten months ago, I had the hottest of hot takes. “It’s not very smart,” I wrote. “And, for two of the main people involved, it’s not very fair.” LeBron James (23) and Bronny James (9) become the first father-son duo to play together in NBA history on March 22, 2024, when they enter a game against Minnesota. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) I concluded my screed with, “Bronny is coming … the circus is starting.” Turns out, the circus never arrived.

Handling the Situation with Care

The reality is, in one of its finest efforts, the Lakers’ management handled the sensitive situation with nimble smarts. Everything about this strange arrangement has worked, every fear has been squelched, all awkwardness has disappeared, and the Lakers have been left with a happily productive father and a gratefully improving son. Bronny James has been their most improved player simply by morphing from a punch line into, well, a player.

Coach’s Perspective

“Since Day 1, I’ve just been impressed with the person that he is,” coach JJ Redick told reporters last month. “And to deal with … frankly, bull— because of who his dad is and just keep a level head about it and be a class act says a lot about him, says a lot about that family …” Maybe it was truly cool with Redick from Day 1, but for the rest of the league, Bronny’s arrival raised a giant red flag.

Performance and Progress

After all, this was a 19-year-old kid who missed most of his only college season while recovering from a heart attack, and suddenly he was given a Lakers uniform and a guaranteed contract? This initially seemed like at least partly a publicity stunt designed to enable Bronny and LeBron to become the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA. Except the Lakers surprisingly didn’t milk it, and actually enabled it when relatively few people were watching. In the second quarter of the season opener against Minnesota in late October, with the town’s attention focused on the Dodgers, father and son checked in together and played nearly three minutes.

Media and Fan Reaction

The consistently popular chant would surface late in Lakers blowouts, when arenas would fill with, “We want Bronny!” The league’s most criticized rookie became the most embraced, and even though he played in only 22 games and was on the court for double-digit minutes in only four of them, those cheers resonated. Was he good? What did you expect? No, by NBA standards, with few rare exceptions, he wasn’t great.

Father-Son Duo

All this time, his father was watching. In fact, perhaps the biggest takeaway of the first year of the son’s appearance is the enormous effect it has had on the father. LeBron has openly cheered for Bronny, as evident after the 39-point game when LeBron tweeted a note of support that read, in part, “SMILE THROUGH IT ALL … KEEP GOING!!” Yes, it was in all caps. LeBron has also fought for his son, accosting ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith at courtside of a recent Lakers game and rebuking him for making his criticism too personal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the drafting of Bronny James has been a success for the Lakers. Despite initial concerns and criticism, Bronny has proven himself to be a hard worker and a valuable addition to the team. His presence has also had a positive impact on his father, LeBron James, who has been inspired by his son’s determination and perseverance. As the season comes to a close, it is clear that the Lakers made the right decision in drafting Bronny James.

FAQs

• Q: What was the initial reaction to the Lakers drafting Bronny James?
  A: The initial reaction was largely negative, with many questioning the move and citing concerns about nepotism.
• Q: How has Bronny James performed this season?
  A: Bronny James has played in 22 games and has shown promise, particularly in the G League where he averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists in his last 11 games.
• Q: What impact has Bronny’s presence had on his father, LeBron James?
  A: Bronny’s presence has had a positive impact on LeBron, who has been inspired by his son’s determination and perseverance, and has played some of the best basketball of his career.
• Q: What can be expected from Bronny James in the future?
  A: It is difficult to predict the future, but based on his progress this season, it is likely that Bronny James will continue to improve and become a valuable contributor to the Lakers.