In a move that felt like it was penned by Hollywood’s finest, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James in the second round of the NBA Drafton Thursday. But what should’ve been a heartwarming father-son tale quickly morphed into a media circus, with critics sharpening their knives and launching a barrage of negativity. On Friday, FS1’s Nick Wright wasn’t having it. On “First Things First,” he passionately defended the Lakers’ pick, calling out the naysayers and celebrating the moment for what it is: a legendary story in the making.
“The coverage of the Lakers drafting Bronny has been absolutely maddening, and so disingenuous by so many people,” Wright thundered, his voice a mix of frustration and disbelief. He didn’t stop there, drawing parallels to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brothers, Thanasis and Kostas, who were drafted with little fanfare in recent years. “This should’ve been celebrated. This is one of the coolest stories ever.“
Wright pointed out the glaring double standard: “Nobody cared,” he explained. “People’s obvious, transparent dislike or jealousy or whatever of LeBron has colored this whole thing. Because I guarantee you if in 15 years, Canen Curry, Steph’s youngest, is a fringe NBA prospect and the Warriors [pick him]… the think pieces aren’t coming. Instead people are going to be like, ‘That’s awesome. That’s super dope.’ This should have been celebrated like that.“
The debate over Bronny James’ draft to Lakers intensifies
Critics cried nepotism, lambasting the Lakers for prioritizing Bronny despite his lackluster freshman season and the unconventional predraft process orchestrated by Klutch Sports. Wright, however, saw this as par for the course in the LeBron James saga. “Obviously nepotism played a piece in this,” Wright said. “Instead of the story being one of, if not the greatest player ever, has played long enough that his kid is now going to be his teammate… the story is just a weird, LeBron, too much power, disingenuous, I didn’t like any of it. That’s how I feel the story should have gone, and would have gone for any other player in the league other than LeBron James.”
In a draft class that lacked the usual star power, split over two days for the first time, Bronny James was always destined to dominate the headlines. But Wright’s impassioned defense suggests that maybe, just maybe, the backlash has finally reached its peak.
So what’s next for the young James? All eyes will be on the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas next month, where Bronny is set to take center stage-assuming he plays. And if he does, it’s bound to be a spectacle that will have everyone, critics and fans alike, tuning in. Because, love him or hate him, the James legacy is far from finished.