With the No. 55 overall pick in the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers made headlines by selecting Bronny James, the son of LeBron James. Amid concerns about Bronny’s pressure, New Orleans Pelicans star Trey Murphy III offered a reassuring perspective.
In a recent episode of “Podcast P with Paul George,” Murphy highlighted LeBron James’s protective presence in Bronny’s career.
“He got a good protector behind him. I think he’ll be all right,” Murphy said.
Bronny’s college career was marred by his cardiac arrest, which sidelined him for nearly two years and attracted significant backlash. He averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists during his lone college season.
Hence, Bronny’s draft selection has drawn criticism, with an NBA analyst boldly accusing the Lakers of nepotism due to LeBron’s status.
Despite the criticism, LeBron James considers Bronny’s draft a dream realized. The 39-year-old star has long expressed his desire to play alongside his son in the NBA and recently shared his excitement about the Lakers’ selection of Bronny.
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Rich Paul Threatened Australia Move if Teams Drafted Bronny James
Before his draft, Bronny James made it clear to NBA teams that he wanted to be selected based on his athletic abilities and not because of his father’s name. He emphasized the importance of being recognized for his talent.
However, Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul, had a different strategy. According to ESPN’s Bob Myers, Paul actively discouraged teams from drafting Bronny. Myers explained that Paul warned teams that if they chose Bronny, he would opt to play in Australia instead.
“Rich Paul is calling teams; don’t take Bronny James. If you take him, he’s going to Australia,” Myers said.
Overcoming these criticisms will be a significant challenge for Bronny. However, as Draymond Green pointed out, Bronny has LeBron’s DNA, which suggests he has the potential to excel and prove his athleticism to his critics.
