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(Los Angeles Times photo illustration; photos from Associated Press)
The wall of cameras and reporters focused on Bronny James against the blue back drop, the diamond stud in his right ear reflecting the lights as he answered different versions of the same question at the NBA scouting combine.
“To be honest,” he said with a soft smile, “It’s a lot.”
No one flat-out asked — it would’ve been too rude, too direct — “Bronny, aren’t you just here because of your dad?”
It’s the question that has followed him wherever he has gone.
Did he really deserve those minutes at Sierra Canyon? Was he really a five-star recruit? Did he earn that spot on the McDonald’s All-American team?
Why in the hell is he entering the NBA draft after averaging 4.8 points as a freshman at USC?
And earlier this week at the NBA combine, every time a question encroached on that topic, James answered confidently.
LeBron James and LeBron James Jr. share a name. They don’t necessarily share a basketball future.
“My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself, and of course, you know, get to the NBA,” Bronny said. “… I never thought about just playing with my dad, but of course he’s, he’s brought it up a couple times.
“But yeah, I don’t think about it.”
Bronny James bites on a finger nail as he listens to a reporter’s question during his draft combine media session Tuesday. (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)
At the combine, he might be the only one.
In Chicago, Bronny James made it clear he wanted to be judged on his own, independent of any other factor. He wanted to be his own man.
“You know, everything that follows my dad, people just try to link me with that, and the greatness that he’s achieved,” Bronny answered. “Like I haven’t done anything yet.”
Yet according to NBA executives and scouts from around the league, that’s impossible.
Despite Bronny’s statements, despite word from LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul and even James himself, the father and son remain inevitably linked, Bronny’s draft stock and LeBron James’ free agency tied as tightly as ever.
Forget second-round evaluations,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bronny-james-ready-himself-nba-110033541.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-05-19 11:00:33
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