Mike On Sports: LeBron and Bronny Has Become Sad

I focus on football, I’m an expert on football. But as a sports fan, I have opinions on many different sports. In this edition of Mike On Sports, I wonder why LeBron James would do this to the son he loves.

Bronny James isn’t an NBA caliber player, everyone agrees on this point. If he wasn’t the son of one of the NBA’s Mount Rushmore of players, he’d likely be back in college basketball next year trying to become a regular starter. Heck, if he wasn’t LeBron’s son he might not be a college basketball level player at all. But here we are. Bronny gets drafted in round two by the LA Lakers clearly at the insistence of his father and someone else’s dream of being drafted falls to the wayside. Nepotism? For sure. But what about abuse? It’s a strong term and the connotations don’t apply here, but can we make a case this isn’t good for the kid? We sure can.

Bronny James seems like a good kid. LeBron seems like a good dad. In fact, the hate for LeBron by many is confusing. Here’s a guy who has been a good husband, a good dad and a good citizen all while dealing with the enormous fame that comes with being a prodigy at basketball. LeBron can be a hypocrite for sure and his social and political beliefs anger some, but as a person he’s been solid. Name a LeBron James scandal. You can’t.

But LeBron has overstepped here and it’s going to end poorly for Bronny. Unless Bronny turns out to be a very solid 10-year pro in the NBA, he will be looked upon as a favor for his dad. He will be the ultimate example of nepotism in professional sports. Even if he does hang around the NBA for a decade as a bench player or even starter, he will never live up to his dad. And it will always come up that he was given a chance only because his dad was LeBron James — always.

And if he fails as many expect? If he’s cut from the Lakers as soon as LeBron retires or leaves for another team? It will get even worse.

LeBron has forced a franchise to hire a coach he does a podcast with and draft his son. A player won’t make the Lakers team because of it. A kid won’t get his NBA moment of being drafted or even given a chance at the NBA because of it. And a much more qualified coach will remain an assistant somewhere for at least another year because of it. LeBron is impacting families with his selfishness and hurting his own kid in the process. And it’s all about LeBron.

So good for you LeBron. You are forcing everyone to abide by your rules and make your dream of playing with your son come true. It’s perhaps what every other famous dad would do. I mean how many rich owners pass along franchise to their sons and how many sons of elite coaches get their chances because of their last name. It happens. But in this case, it’s bigger than all that. Nepotism exists for sure, but this is about as a big a stage as you can get for nepotism. And the only one getting hurt is the son he’s supposed to love. It’s sad.