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Lakers Drafting Bronny James Was the Right Decision, Claims Anonymous NBA Executive: ‘A Lot of People Saw Good Things in Him’
An anonymous NBA executive believes that the Lakers made the right choice in drafting Bronny James amid scrutiny. He broke down the reasoning behind Lakers' choice.
The buzz surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers' decision to draft Bronny James has not subsided since his selection as the 55th pick in the NBA Draft. Critics have been swift to dismiss the young guard's potential, citing his underwhelming college performance and suggesting that his draft placement was merely a result of nepotism.
Amidst the skepticism and scrutiny that Bronny has been facing right after his draft, an anonymous NBA executive has come forward to defend the Lakers' choice. He dismissed the narrative of drafting the Lakers star’s son asserting that selecting Bronny was indeed the right decision.
NBA executive sided with Lakers decision of drafting Bronny James
The unnamed executive, in an interview with Heavy Sports, expressed confidence in Bronny's abilities despite his rocky college season at Southern Cal. The executive pointed out that Bronny's on-court struggles must be viewed in the context of his recovery from a serious health scare—a cardiac arrest during a team practice that raised concerns about his future in basketball.
During the conversation, the exec said, “I mean, I don’t think that one year he had is an indication of who he was or what he is or certainly not what he can be. The Lakers probably saw him working out and hanging around the team. They saw something good in him, so why not take him?”
This setback, coupled with joining a dysfunctional team late, undoubtedly had a significant impact on Bronny's performance, making it unfair to evaluate his potential solely based on those numbers.
“A lot of people saw good things in him, but I think they were scared off,” the executive further added, acknowledging two of the other teams suited for Bronny for the draft.
Moreover, the executive emphasized Bronny's promising attributes that were on display during the NBA Draft Combine, where he was impressed with his skills and had a standout performance on a particular day. These factors, along with his pre-college achievements and the potential seen by many individuals in the basketball community, justified his draft selection in the eyes of the executive.
Gilbert Arenas defends Bronny James' 4-year guaranteed Lakers contract
As the NBA's Summer League unfolds, all eyes are on one notable rookie struggling to find his footing in the professional basketball arena — Bronny James, son of the legendary LeBron James. Despite the high expectations that come with his last name and the spotlight that naturally follows, Bronny's initial performances have left much to be desired.
With only 6 successful shots out of 26 attempts and a string of missed three-pointers, the young guard has faced a wave of criticism. Amidst the tumult of voices questioning Bronny's potential and readiness for the NBA, former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has stepped up to provide a staunch defense.
In a recent episode of the Gil's Arena podcast, Arenas vehemently argued that Bronny is being unfairly judged. Pointing to his second-round draft status — 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft — Arenas highlighted the stark contrast in expectations placed on him, often likened to those of a top pick rather than a late-second-rounder.
"The expectations from a second-round pick are just ridiculous," exclaimed Arenas with unwavering conviction. He also criticized the media for magnifying Bronny's struggles as if he were a guaranteed star from day one, failing to acknowledge the developmental trajectory typical of players drafted in the second round.
Arenas adamantly rejected the notion of Bronny's rumored four-year contract guarantee as sensationalized falsehood, emphasizing the lack of coverage and recognition compared to higher picks in the draft.
While Arenas' defense may be perceived as biased given his close bond with Bronny and shared training sessions, his insights shed light on the disparity in treatment received by players based on their draft position.
Also Read: JJ Redick Reveals Real Reason Behind Snubbing Anthony Davis From NBA All Defensive Team This Year
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