Bronny James drafted by Lakers

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by packs

Home attendance has been dropping since 2020:

2019/2020: 18,997 average
2021/2022: 18,649 average
2022/2023: 18,613 average

We're in the hobby, my friend. What do you think the odds are the first home game where the world gets to see the first father / son duo in NBA history sells out? How many jerseys are going to be sold that day? How many Topps Now cards will be printed? Do you think there will be a bigger game on earth that night once the networks sink their teeth in?

The sports world will be watching the Lakers all year long. That kind of attention wasn't being paid last year when it was just Lebron out there.

I also think it's fair to conclude that Lebron was not interested in playing at all if the Lakers weren't going to draft his son. I don't know what your opinion of the rest of the team is, but without Lebron who is anyone there to see?

I would posit people are more interested in watching Caitlin Clark drain 3's from the paint than will ever care to watch Brony play ball.

[vintagerookies51]

I'm not in LeBron's camp or anything, but I find it highly unlikely that he was making any "demands" saying draft Bronny or I'll leave. People say similar things about the JJ Reddick hire even though LeBron publicly endorsed another coach first.

This was simply a classy move by the Lakers in their mutually beneficial relationship with LeBron. Not that they were title contenders anyways, but the effect one player signing for a few million will have on their chances is very slim. The attention and money this will bring the Lakers far outweighs the downsides.

People so upset about this "nepotism" in the NBA need to have the same energy when it comes to politics, business, etc. Hell, the whole Lakers organization is run by a bunch of unqualified nepo babies! The story of LeBron, who was holding this kid as a toddler in the NBA finals so many years ago, is now playing on the same team as that kid, especially after his heart problems last year, is amazing in my opinion. Those who can't see one positive side to this must be miserable.

[Beercan collector]

I’m not upset about any of it I find it entertaining .
If someone says he’s gonna play one day I’ll probably watch it .
His playing in the NBA will be as humorous as Yoko singing with Chuck Berry ,
And they both got there the same way

[Beercan collector]

The three and D Prospect started his career 0-15 from 3
Made a three pointer yesterday ! He is now 2-20 from 3 ,
Hooray for Bronny 🤗

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

The three and D Prospect started his career 0-15 from 3
Made a three pointer yesterday ! He is now 2-20 from 3 ,
Hooray for Bronny 🤗

The 7 foot 1 inch #2 pick in the entire draft went 0-15 in a single game the other day...so he's not alone.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

I’m not upset about any of it I find it entertaining .
If someone says he’s gonna play one day I’ll probably watch it .
His playing in the NBA will be as humorous as Yoko singing with Chuck Berry ,
And they both got there the same way

I guess it's possible he could develop? But right now it looks like he's just another of the countless examples of there being a world of difference between even a really top notch high school player and having the talent level to play in the NBA.

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I guess it's possible he could develop? But right now it looks like he's just another of the countless examples of there being a world of difference between even a really top notch high school player and having the talent level to play in the NBA.

I take no joy in Bronny's poor performance. It seems apparent that he is being pushed into this situation so that he can appear on the same court as his father, which has never happened before in the NBA. I really feel sorry for the kid and only can hope he turns into a Joe Nuxhall rather than a David Clyde.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by packs

Home attendance has been dropping since 2020:

2019/2020: 18,997 average
2021/2022: 18,649 average
2022/2023: 18,613 average

Those differences could be attributed to numerous things including comps to the rich and famous in LA, or maybe they increased the area of a bar selling overpriced drinks or a shop selling overpriced merch, either of which might be grossing more than the now "unsold" ticket would have generated.

But even if it actually is dropping the 36 ticket drop between 22 & 23 is certainly not a number that caused an emergency meeting in the sales department.

[packs]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Those differences could be attributed to numerous things including comps to the rich and famous in LA, or maybe they increased the area of a bar selling overpriced drinks or a shop selling overpriced merch, either of which might be grossing more than the now "unsold" ticket would have generated.

But even if it actually is dropping the 36 ticket drop between 22 & 23 is certainly not a number that caused an emergency meeting in the sales department.

So when the team decided to shell out a huge individual season salary to LeBron to keep him in LA, and then drafted his son, it wasn't to sell tickets? The most overpriced merchandise is for sale in the stadium. I think the sales team would be more concerned with what the numbers would be without James there.

[Peter_Spaeth]

https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/f...t-01ja6j3xxr4f

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/f...t-01ja6j3xxr4f

LOL, that's a pretty comical article.

Kwame Brown?

One of the biggest #1 overall busts in NBA history, famous for dogging it, claiming a #55 draft pick should get cut 3 games into the preseason for "coasting" and "not producing".

That's rich!

Bronny may never actually turn out to be anything, but he certainly will never be the disappointment Kwame Brown was.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Yeah, he was not ready for prime time. Jordan really pushed the Wizards to take him.

[BobbyStrawberry]

I must admit I've never asked myself, "what would Kwame Brown think about this?"

[Peter_Spaeth]

Rough crowd, guy played 11 seasons in the NBA, entitled to an opinion.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Rough crowd, guy played 11 seasons in the NBA, entitled to an opinion.

Swiftly followed by the opinion of the opinion…..


What’s the phrase?…“Opinions are like as&$oles……”

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Rough crowd, guy played 11 seasons in the NBA, entitled to an opinion.

He is not entitled to speculate on things he knows nothing about. All reports are that Bronny is working hard to become an NBA player. He is entitled to chase his NBA dream just like Brown did.

About a third of 2nd round picks never play a game in the NBA. So, lots of players are doing exactly what Bronny did, putting their name into the draft and hoping to make the NBA. At pick 55, the Lakers took someone who they knew would put in the work rather than take a flyer on an unknown player. They gave him a guarenteed contract just like the Bucks gave Chris Livingston the #58 pick in the 2023 draft. So why all the hate?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

He is not entitled to speculate on things he knows nothing about. All reports are that Bronny is working hard to become an NBA player. He is entitled to chase his NBA dream just like Brown did.

About a third of 2nd round picks never play a game in the NBA. So, lots of players are doing exactly what Bronny did, putting their name into the draft and hoping to make the NBA. At pick 55, the Lakers took someone who they knew would put in the work rather than take a flyer on an unknown player. They gave him a guarenteed contract just like the Bucks gave Chris Livingston the #58 pick in the 2023 draft. So why all the hate?

Bronny scored 4 points a game in his one year in college. It seems fairly obvious the only reason he was drafted.

[G1911]

Accepting the premise that Kwame Brown should not be allowed to express an opinion, speculate, and/or speak on the subject at all because he is an insufficient authority, then logically why should anyone here be able to express their contrasting opinion? If Brown is an insufficient authority on who is qualified to be on an NBA team by merit, how is anyone here a greater authority and thus able to give their opinion?

[maniac_73]

I'll take a guys opinion who actually played the game at a high level vs some of these "journalists" who dont look like they've ever played a sport in their lives.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by G1911

Accepting the premise that Kwame Brown should not be allowed to express an opinion, speculate, and/or speak on the subject at all because he is an insufficient authority, then logically why should anyone here be able to express their contrasting opinion? If Brown is an insufficient authority on who is qualified to be on an NBA team by merit, how is anyone here a greater authority and thus able to give their opinion?

He should certainly be allowed to express his opinion, just as anybody else should be allowed to express an opinion of his opinion.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

He is not entitled to speculate on things he knows nothing about. All reports are that Bronny is working hard to become an NBA player. He is entitled to chase his NBA dream just like Brown did.

About a third of 2nd round picks never play a game in the NBA. So, lots of players are doing exactly what Bronny did, putting their name into the draft and hoping to make the NBA. At pick 55, the Lakers took someone who they knew would put in the work rather than take a flyer on an unknown player. They gave him a guarenteed contract just like the Bucks gave Chris Livingston the #58 pick in the 2023 draft. So why all the hate?

Do you seriously think we'd be talking about this if Bronny was named Smith?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by maniac_73

I'll take a guys opinion who actually played the game at a high level vs some of these "journalists" who dont look like they've ever played a sport in their lives.

I don't think you need to pick or choose one or another.

You can just go with the one you have surmised seems to be the most informed on the matter, regardless of their background.

Former players will have varied opinions on the same subject, just as well as "journalists".

Some "journalists" may also be former players, and some former players may be nothing more than a troll or a pundit. Some accomplished former players are shitty "journalists", and most accomplished "journalists" are shitty (or non-existent) former players.

What if another former player who played the game at a "high level" comes out with an "opinion" that's the complete antithesis of Kwame Brown's "opinion"? Which one will you side with? So many questions, so little time.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Do you seriously think we'd be talking about this if Bronny was named Smith?

Smith James?

Probably.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Smith James?

Probably.

How do you go from 4 PPG to the NBA?

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How do you go from 4 PPG to the NBA?

Via extreme privilege and being a nepo baby

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

Via extreme privilege and being a nepo baby

I mean fine, it's one roster spot at the end of the bench and it won't last long and the Lakers can afford to pay him. But let's not pretend it's anything other than the above. Second round pick indeed.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Rough crowd, guy played 11 seasons in the NBA, entitled to an opinion.

So is my garbage man...

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Do you seriously think we'd be talking about this if Bronny was named Smith?

Probably, but Smith James would be a really weird name though...

EDIT: Damn, I got beat to the joke. I should read the entire thread before posting.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Probably, but Smith James would be a really weird name though...

EDIT: Damn, I got beat to the joke. I should read the entire thread before posting.

Like the bad joke from Mary Poppins.
I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.
Really? What's the name of his other leg?

[packs]

Khris Middleton averaged a measly 11 points and 2 assists per game over three college seasons. He's now a three time All Star and NBA champion.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How do you go from 4 PPG to the NBA?

He was a 5 Star High School recruit and McDonald's All-American who suffered a serious cardiac event leading into his only season in college, which obviously set him back on his year in college.

Types of players like this get drafted all the time in the NBA, without ever even seeing the floor in college basketball.

Listen, nobody is claiming he would have gotten drafted without Lebron as his daddy. Just that it's not that big a deal...especially where he got drafted. 2nd rounders are either "projects" or shots in the dark to begin with. Sure, there's diamonds in the rough that emerge on occasion, but odds wise, that's the obvious exception, and not the rule.

Just scanning over Kwame Browns draft class in 2001 (which to be fair to Kwame, was a terrible class outside of Pau Gasol and Tony Parker), more then 90% of 2nd rounders (and a decent % of 1st rounders), either never saw the floor, or were below replacement level players (VORP) during their mostly short careers.

https://www.basketball-reference.com.../NBA_2001.html

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Do you seriously think we'd be talking about this if Bronny was named Smith?

That is exactly my point. Other players in his position are allowed to put their name in the draft and get picked at the end of the 2nd round and no one complains about them chasing their dream.

[Beercan collector]

No harm
He’s getting his chance to prove in quick dramatic fashion he does not belong in the league .

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

That is exactly my point. Other players in his position are allowed to put their name in the draft and get picked at the end of the 2nd round and no one complains about them chasing their dream.

I may not have been clear. My point is that if he was not LeBron's son, he would not have been drafted in the second round or perhaps at all. And that's why we would not be talking about it.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I may not have been clear. My point is that if he was not LeBron's son, he would not have been drafted in the second round or perhaps at all. And that's why we would not be talking about it.

Daniel Orton averaged 3.4 PPG and 3.3 RPG at Kentucky as a Freshman and was drafted at pick 29 at the end of the first round.
He played 51 games in the NBA averaging 2.8 PPG and 2.5 RPG. People weren't upset that he chased his NBA dream. Why the hate for Bronny?

As was pointed out above, since Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant, plenty of high school then freshmen college players are drafted on their potential and there are plenty who don't make it. Bronny being another one is no big deal, but people are trying to make it one.

[packs]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I may not have been clear. My point is that if he was not LeBron's son, he would not have been drafted in the second round or perhaps at all. And that's why we would not be talking about it.

Nobody drafted Michael Jordan's kids.

[Peter_Spaeth]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/4...couting-report

[jayshum]

Bronny played 3 minutes in the Lakers season opening win so he played with LeBron. He's still waiting to score his first NBA points after 0-2 shooting.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Like the bad joke from Mary Poppins.
I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.
Really? What's the name of his other leg?

I knew a woman who tap danced on her left leg and toe danced on her right leg. Between the two she made a living...

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Bronny played 3 minutes in the Lakers season opening win so he played with LeBron. He's still waiting to score his first NBA points after 0-2 shooting.

Maybe now that it's out of the way they'll send him back to the D league where he MIGHT belong.

[Shoeless Moe]

It's rare when you are watching a game/sport and you get to see the worst player in the league playing and you can be like "hey that is thee worst player in the league."

Now sure you may get mad at a player on your team and be like "he sucks", and maybe he does, or maybe you are just mad your team is losing, or he's just having a bad game or playing poorly for a long period of time. So he's a bad player, but is he really the worst player in the league?

Here you truly can say "I'm watching the worst player in the league play right now." I don't know if that has ever been done before.

Congrats to the worst player in the league making his debut.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Barkley tells it like it is, not like the apologists and spinners want it to be.

Barkley then offered his assessment of the young player, who averaged 4.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game over six preseason games.

“I think he should be in the G League,” Barkley said. “He's not ready to play in the NBA right now. He should be in the G League, because he's not ready to play in the NBA first and foremost.”

[KJA]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I guess it's possible he could develop? But right now it looks like he's just another of the countless examples of there being a world of difference between even a really top notch high school player and having the talent level to play in the NBA.

How's his defense? Maybe he can develop into a lockdown defender and stick around the league.

Or just sticks around as long as Lebron is in the league and is just a guy at the end of bench like the Bucks had been doing with Thanasis Antetokounmpo for the past 4 seasons.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Bronny did not play in last night's game.

[BobbyStrawberry]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...gue-split-trip

[sports-cards-forever]

Bronny is a great story...but he is no Griffey Jr. Bronny needs alot more experience, but may be a qualify NBA player one day, but unlikely to be a star.

[Snapolit1]

I will never forget where I was the night Bronny and LeBron took the floor together.


Wait, what night was that?


Biggest sports thrill I've had since Pete Rose, Jr. got a few ABs in 1997.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by packs

Nobody drafted Michael Jordan's kids.

Maybe Jordan didn't ask.

[Peter_Spaeth]

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The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned rookie guard Bronny James to the South Bay Lakers, their G-League affiliate. He will reportedly be on L.A.’s roster Friday against the Sixers, but will join South Bay on Saturday, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.

Bronny will likely only play home games for the South Bay Lakers and may regularly switch between the NBA and G-League rosters.

The 20-year-old rookie has made four appearances for the Lakers this season, mostly in the last few minutes of blowout games. He’s averaging 1.0 point, 0.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game in 3.3 minutes.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Act two to follow?

https://ballexclusives.com/2024/11/0...ger-son-bryce/