Shaquille O’Neal, a former Los Angeles Lakers great, spoke on his show “The Big Podcast” and discussed the team’s second-round selection pick, Bronny James. With the pick of current Lakers player LeBron James’ son, Bronny has faced widespread criticism, with many claiming nepotism as the decisive factor in his draft rather than his basketball talent, much to O’Neal’s dismay.
The basketball icon would defend Bronny, claiming that he does not deserve the attention he is receiving because he has no choice but to “live up to what” his father did before him. O’Neal has a close bond with the newest Lakers player, even referring to him as his “nephew.”
“I would like the scrutiny to get off of Bronny James, my nephew, he’s a kid, great kid, all he wants to do is play,” O’Neal went on. “It’s regrettable that children like ours must bear the consequences of our actions. I teach my kids all the time that pressure is when you don’t know where your next meal will come from. You don’t have to be me; I want you to be better than me. I’m not speaking as a player, but as a human.”
O’Neal understands Bronny James wants to make it on his own with the Lakers.
In the second half of a game against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena, USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) returns to the bench.
O’Neal also expressed sympathy for Bronny James, who is only 19 years old and is suffering with the media cloud that has engulfed him not only because he is LeBron’s son, but also because he is following in his father’s footsteps in basketball. The present basketball commentator might add, “As kids, they want to make it for themselves.”
“Like all that’s unnecessary, kids 18, 19 years old, I hope he gets drafted, I hope he makes it, and I hope he can do it on his own,” O’Neal went on. “One thing that would be a poor look is them telling you that you only made it because of your father. You know how a kid wants to make it for himself, and he will.”
O’Neal was not the only one in the basketball media to laud Bronny; Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green also commented. He would even go so far as to predict that Bronny “will end up being a better pro than a lot of these players in the draft,” which is a lofty expectation for the Lakers rookie.
“I actually think Bronny is going to end up being a better pro than a lot of these players in this draft,” Green stated on his self-titled podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” “He’s athletic, has a high basketball IQ, and plays the game correctly. I believe he will be an effective shooter in the NBA.He has LeBron James’ DNA, and I’ll bet on it.”
“I genuinely believe Bronny will end up being a better pro than many of the players in this draft… “He carries LeBron James’ DNA.”
Draymond Green has high respect for Bronny James.
"I actually think Bronny is going to end up being a better pro than a lot of these players in this draft… He has LeBron James' DNA."
Draymond Green with some HIGH praise for Bronny James 🗣️
(via @TheVolumeSports)pic.twitter.com/yL1m82cr15
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 28, 2024
Lakers’ Rob Pelinka explains how “magical” it is for Bronny to be on the team.
The second-round selection of James also made history, since the pairing of LeBron and Bronny James as a father-son tandem will be the first in NBA history. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka discussed how “magical” that relationship will be with the team.
“In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and son who have shared an NBA basketball court, and that feels like something magical,” said Pelinka, who is also the Vice President of Basketball Operations. “We respect LeBron’s decision to opt-out, but if he joins our team next season, it could make NBA history.” And NBA history should be made in a Lakers jersey.”
In any case, the Lakers are trying to improve after finishing as the seventh seed with a 47-35 record and being defeated in the first round of the playoffs in five games by the Denver Nuggets. This time, JJ Redick will coach the father-son duo.
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I used to have respect for O’Neal. But to think he thinks this kid in any way belongs in the NBA is the most ridiculous thing i have ever herd. He has a points per game avg of 4 or 5. this is telling me every player in the nba will be giving this talentless kid a break because he is LaBron’s son. This proves the NBA is all fake. Wrestling is more on the up n up than the NBA.