Shaquille O'Neal Makes Painful Admission About Bronny James' Criticisms

The NBA Draft came and went, and likely for the first time in its history, the biggest story of the event was a second-round pick.

This isn't due to the NBA's marketing savvy that saw them split the draft up into two nights rather than just one; it was more so because of who was taken in the second. Despite producing notable players like Dillon Brooks, Malcolm Brogdon, Jalen Brunson, and most notably Nikola Jokic—who went on to become a three-time MVP despite being drafted during the airing of a Taco Bell commercial—the second round isn't known for being must-see TV.

However, this year's No. 55 pick overall wasn't announced with a commercial playing over it, but instead commanded the attention of NBA fans all over the world. The Los Angeles Lakers made the inevitable selection of Bronny James out of USC. James, if you haven't heard, is the oldest son of LeBron James, and while he didn't even average five points per game during his lone college season, there was never a doubt that he'd end up getting a shot in the league.

This caused outrage from fans, with many calling it nepotism and even attacking the younger James for even getting a chance at all—something that, in the eyes of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, needs to stop. Aside from wanting people to stop attacking Bronny, O'Neal also likened the situation to his own kids.

"I would like the scrutiny to get off Bronny James," O'Neal said during a recent The Big Podcast episode . "My nephew. He's a kid. Great kid. All he wants to do is play. It's unfortunate for kids that have to live up to what we have done. I hope he has the opportunity to play well. I hope he has the opportunity to make a name for himself."

"I'm sitting watching all this [criticism]. All that stuff's unnecessary."

While O'Neal makes a great point, fans will be ruthless when it comes to James. It seems as if there is a massive crowd that is hoping he stumbles at every step, and isn't sitting back to appreciate the history being made and how special of a moment we are witnessing.

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As revealed by JJ Redick on Tuesday, James and fellow rookie Dalton Knecht will both play in the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League ahead of the season.