Rich Eisen is one of various national commentators pushing back against the “nepotism” criticism leveled against the Los Angeles Lakers for picking Bronny James at No. 55 in the NBA draft.
The former USC Trojans guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting below 40% from the field last season. However, he had health problems leading into the season, did not play a full schedule of games, and was playing on a team which endured other injuries to important players, including first-round NBA draft pick Isaiah Collier. It’s less that Bronny James wasn’t good last season; it’s much more a case of Bronny not having enough time or enough repetitions to fully prove himself. This was not a failed season for him, so much as it was an incomplete or unresolved season. He just needs time to play, learn, and develop, and that should come his way in the NBA summer league in a matter of weeks.
Bronny will now teammates with his father, LeBron James, on the Lakers. For the first time in NBA history we have a father and son duo at the same time. That’s actually pretty cool. Rich Eisen’s response to the “nepotism” charge over a No. 55 NBA draft pick:
“Who cares?” Indeed. This is not that big a deal. If this was a top-15 pick, different story.
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