Jason Whitlock has criticized LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers for what he describes as a “selfish and narcissistic assault on meritocracy in sports.” The sports journalist voiced his concerns over the Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny James at No. 55, suggesting LeBron’s influence played a significant role in his son’s selection.
The Lakers’ move made history by creating the NBA’s first father-son duo, but Whitlock believes this decision is more about legacy than building a championship team. “The Lakers are more focused on ‘making history’ than they are on actually starting the season out strong and winning,” Whitlock tweeted. He added that many are hesitant to call it what it is—a decision driven by LeBron’s interests, not Bronny’s readiness for the NBA.
Whitlock’s criticism comes amid ongoing debates about Bronny James’ preparedness for the professional level. Despite being the son of one of basketball’s greatest players, Bronny’s college stats and early NBA performances have sparked questions about whether he is truly ready for the spotlight. During his time at USC, Bronny averaged 4.8 points per game, placing him eighth on the team in scoring.
The scrutiny didn’t stop after his college career. In the NBA Summer League, Bronny averaged 8.8 points per game, shooting just 35% from the field and an underwhelming 15.8% from beyond the arc. These performances have fueled concerns about whether he can meet the high expectations set by his father’s illustrious career.
Steve Kim, speaking on Fearless, echoed Whitlock’s concerns, drawing comparisons between Bronny and former President Donald Trump. Kim noted that the same people who criticize Trump for being propped up by his father are now praising Bronny’s opportunity to play alongside LeBron.
Bronny’s struggles continued during the preseason, where he scored just two points across his first three games. This has only heightened the scrutiny surrounding his NBA future. For critics like Whitlock, Bronny’s presence on the Lakers appears more like a favor to LeBron than a decision based on merit.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Lakers to see if Bronny can rise to the occasion and prove his critics wrong. Whether this father-son duo can succeed on the court remains to be seen, but for now, the debate over Bronny’s place in the NBA—and his father’s influence—continues.