Much ado has been made about Bronny James’ first game with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside his legendary father, LeBron James — and not all of it is good.
The Washington Post published an opinion column in which sportswriter Rick Reilly all but excoriated the younger James, remarking that he “felt bad for the kid” as he played alongside his legendary father for the first time on October 22, snarling that “sports is the last true meritocracy” and suggesting that “nepo babies” in other fields (such as politics and acting) have carte blanche to do as they please because of their talented, and bordering on iconic, lineage.
“Nobody puts you in the Yankees’ lineup just because your last name is Mantle. You don’t get to quarterback in the NFL because you grew up an Elway. They aren’t called the Denver Broncos and Sons,” Reilly wrote, suggesting that Bronny James barely deserves a spot on a street-ball court, let alone playing alongside his legendary father on one of the greatest teams in the NBA.
Indeed, Bronny James is nowhere near the icon that LeBron James is. Bronny’s inaugural appearance on the court in the preseason was nothing if not soggy, as he averaged only 4.2 points and 1.7 rebounds while making just one of his 12 three-point attempts. In the second half of the season opener — where Bronny and LeBron took the court together, thus making history as the first father-son duo to play together on a pro court, the younger James missed his only shot attempt and grabbed just a single rebound in three minutes of action before returning to the bench.
In short, Bronny wasn’t exactly a modern-day Michael Jordan, let alone a modern-day LeBron James.
But that’s hardly the point.
First of all, Reilly’s assertion that “legacy kids” in other fields just get the red carpet rolled out to them is, quite simply, false. Reilly’s examples of RFK Jr. and Tom Hanks’ kids are actually the perfect examples of how “nepo babies” are held up to impossible standards.
Let’s be real: who amongst us takes Chet Hanks seriously as a gangsta rapper? And who amongst us really expected RFK Jr.’s failed presidential run as a re-launch of the 1960s Camelot dream? Would either of those men be held to the same impossible standard if their fathers weren’t icons in their respective fields?
Second, while it’s true that Bronny has a long way to go before he can even be considered for a contributing role on the team, it’s difficult, if not impossible, for him to live up to his father — and there isn’t a sports commentator who would compare him to LeBron James if Bronny’s father wasn’t, well, LeBron James. Are we really managing our expectations, or are we holding Bronny to a standard that couldn’t be achieved by arguably any person on the planet?
Many NBA players drafted into the league aren’t superstars on their best day. But expecting a second-round draft pick to play like LeBron James just because he’s LeBron James’ son — in his first game, no less — is nothing short of ludicrous. Give “the kid” some grace — or, at least, the same grace one would give any other new player.
News
Troubling Photo Surfaces Of Randy Moss Following His Depressing Health Announcement
Randy Moss (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) Randy Moss has the entire sports world on edge about his health. The Hall of Fame wide receiver and current ESPN analyst did something he never does as he revealed at the start of…
VIDEO: Newest Footage From Highmark Stadium Has Fans Wondering How On Earth The Buffalo Bills Can Host SNF Game vs. 49ers
Highmark Stadium (Photos via @NFL/X) Fans on social media are wondering how the Buffalo Bills will be able to host a football game at Highmark Stadium this Sunday following heavy snowfall at Orchard Park over the weekend. The Bills appear to be…
REPORT: Jacksonville Jaguars Give Sad Injury Update On QB Trevor Lawrence After He Was KO’d On The Field
Trevor Lawrence (Photo via Getty Images)) On Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Houston Texans in an AFC South showbowl between the first- and last-place teams. For the first time since November 3, quarterback Trevor Lawrence saw the field. Unfortunately, his time in the…
Concussion Doctor Gives Frightening Update On Trevor Lawrence After Jaguars QB Was Knocked Out Cold vs. Texans
Trevor Lawrence (Photo via CBS) A brawl erupted in Jacksonville after Texans linebacker Aziz Al-Shaair delivered a late, brutal hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence that knocked him unconscious. Al-Shaair made hard contact with Lawrence’s head and neck area as he was…
VIDEO: Cameras Caught Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair Getting Dragged Off Field By Security After Getting Into Altercation With Fans & Trying To Fight The Entire Jaguars Team
Azeez Al-Shaair (Photos via Fox) Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will most likely catch a rightful suspension from the league after what he did to Trevor Lawrence. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field on Sunday after taking a hit…
Buffalo Bills Announce Postponement Of Special Event At Highmark Stadium Ahead Of SNF Game vs. 49ers
Highmark Stadium in the snow. (Photo via @ChrisWTOL/Twitter) The Buffalo Bills have announced that their ‘Sunday Night Lights’ drone show, initially scheduled for halftime during this Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, has been postponed. This comes as a result of the…
End of content
No more pages to load