The Los Angeles Lakers recently made headlines in the NBA when it was revealed that they had signed rookie second-round selection Bronny James, son of NBA icon LeBron James, to a multi-year, fully guaranteed contract with the team. While these kind of contracts have occurred in the past, they are not necessarily the standard for second-round draft picks, but such are the benefits of being related to the (arguable) best player of all time in James and playing for the most famous club of all time, the Lakers.
Bronny and LeBron are now teammates, making it the first time in NBA history that a father and son have been in the league at the same time, much alone played for the same club. Although the elder James is reaching the age of 40, there is optimism that playing with his kid may help him locate the fountain of youth, and former NFL MVP Cam Newton is among those who believe this.
“Now he’s playing for something, something he wasn’t doing before. “Just think about this, he has a new burning desire, a person to show the ropes,” Newton stated on the 4th & 1 Podcast on YouTube. “Come on, son, let’s get great today.” And don’t let Bronny push his father, ‘hey pop you in there with my mother f—-ing mommy, get your a- out we’ve got to win a championship.’…LeBron has a purpose now; this mother f—-er has been revitalized, and he has someone to play for. To show the ropes on the road, both in and out of season.
Newton also responded to those who said Bronny James is only in this position because of his last name.
“I’m about to give you all the ingredients to the damn cake, and it’s up to you, I’m not going to let you fail,” Newton told you. “Just like any executive, manager, or coach. So that’s what I mean: f—k nepotism.
What amount will Bronny contribute?
LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers forward, attends a press conference at UCLA’s Health Training Center.
Probably not much, at least initially.
It is highly uncommon in the modern NBA for a late second-round draft selection to see minutes right away in the big leagues, especially if the team they play for has short-term (if erroneous) championship expectations.
However, nothing about the Bronny James saga or its surrounding circumstances is normal, and the pressure from Lakers fans that will undoubtedly be put on JJ Redick to give the younger James some minutes may be enough to crack a young coach who is getting his first professional coaching experience.
While his game clearly requires a lot of work (as it does for almost every rookie), Bronny James has a fascinating blend of defensive instincts and perimeter shooting that has drawn parallels to ball-hawk players like Davion Mitchell. Not a terrible analogy.
