LeBron James and Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers react on the bench during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Molly Gash)
LeBron James stood next to his son Bronny on the court and couldn’t help but look at him to capture the moment. The two were wearing matching Los Angeles Lakers jerseys with “James” and “James Jr.” Large purple letters are embroidered on the back.
“It was like The Matrix or something,” LeBron said later. “It just didn’t seem real.”
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The Lakers drafted Bronny 55th overall in June, paving the way for the 39-year-old James to realize a lifelong dream of playing alongside his son, becoming the first father-son pair to play together in an NBA game. . in a preseason match on October 6th.
Read: Bronny James praises ‘new beginning’ in NBA preseason debut
While Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka described the draft pick as “magic,” the Lakers organization believes Bronny wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity if his father wasn’t one of the game’s greatest players. It has been criticized as to whether or not it was accurate. Although these dissents caused widespread excitement in the James family, they also reignited debate about nepotism in sports and how powerful people use their influence, as well as raising concerns about successful parents. It also highlighted the prejudice against children who follow in the footsteps of their families.
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“There’s always going to be people who say things are nepotism,” said Alice Reppert, associate professor of media and communication studies at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. “There’s going to be a cynical belief that strings are being pulled and things are fundamentally unfair.”
read: LeBron and Bronny James play together for the first time as Lakers
It’s often based on people’s desire to believe in meritocracy, Reppert said, referring to a system in which someone receives status or compensation based on ability rather than wealth or social status.
“In general, we don’t live in a meritocracy,” Reppert added. “We want to live in a meritocracy. That’s why we have these discussions.”
Critics of nepotism argue that those without similar access to resources, such as producers and directors in the entertainment industry, scouts and training facilities in sports, are at a significant disadvantage in terms of opportunities. .
100 instances
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (age 9), right, poses with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Palm Desert, California. He will be on the court with James (23 years old). (AP Photo/William Liang)
Some may question why a custom so deeply ingrained in society is mentioned.
Former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski said during the NBA Draft, “I don’t want to hear the kind of accusations from people talking about nepotism.” “The NBA is full of nepotism. The ownership level, the front office, the coaching. Bronny James’ father plays for the Lakers, so all of a sudden you don’t want to hear about it. It’s rampant in this league.”
Read: NBA: Lakers ponder when LeBron will share court with son Bronny
In NBA history, there are about 100 instances in which a player joined the league after his father played. These young men entered the league after their father’s career ended, and included Stephen Curry and Dell Curry, Kobe “Jellybean” Bryant and Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Including Bill Walton and Luke Walton.
“We have resigned ourselves to the fact that in this country, if you own it, you can do whatever you want,” said David Grenaldo, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and an expert on sports law. I think there is,” he said. “So I’m the owner. I can pass it on to my children…and that’s acceptable to a certain extent because that person has the right to do with their property as they wish.”
Grenaldo said that acceptance changes when it comes to athletes.
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“In that regard, we are completely uncomfortable with the idea of someone getting an opportunity that they don’t deserve,” he said. “So when you get into a situation where someone who might not be considered the best gets a better chance than someone else, you say, ‘Well, whose kid is that?'” Grenaldo said. said.
