SouthernDukie
Member
Haha
Sadly, Iām going to come up just a wee bit short, CNC. Not sure about Southern, though; I donāt know his financial situation.
LOL. No doubt Steven is in better shape than I am. So if he can't do it, you know I can't.
NBA 2024 Offseason Discussion Thread
- Thread starter nmduke2001
- Start date
LOL. No doubt Steven is in better shape than I am. So if he can't do it, you know I can't.
This seems like a reasonable take in regard to Bronny. I think he might eventually become a decent player, and maybe better than that.
And after all, this is the entertainment business, itās not 100% a meritocracy. The Lakers can do whatever they feel like doing. Itās their money; itās their team.
JasonEvans
Host, The Duke Basketball Roundup
It is also worth noting that NBA rookie contracts carry a lower salary cap hit than a veteran deal, so signing Bronny to a contract may be the thing that saves the Lakers from the second apron while signing some other vet to that 15th spot on the roster could have taken them over the top (obviously, Lebron's willingness to adjust his salary is a factor here, but this is why teams sometimes give guaranteed deals to 2nd rounders who do not really seem worth it).
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
Yeah. Considering how many teams sign coaches to attract players, hire family members for the organization, etc - it isn't like Lebron I vented nepotism in sports.
bundabergdevil
Member
Anyone else read the front page article on Dunleavy and wonder āwho the heck is George Paulā? 
True, but if LBJ insists that Bronny actually play meaningful minutes, it'll drive JJ nuts. I have trouble believing he'll be satisfied to see his kid parked on the bench which is where he truly belongs.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
I mean, maybe. Let's see what happens rather than being pre-emptively upset.
Phredd3
Member
I would just assume it is two-fourths.Anyone else read the front page article on Dunleavy and wonder āwho the heck is George Paulā?
To be clear, the Lakers could slide into the Pacific and I wouldn't be upset, I could not possibly care less. I just am fascinated by an impending trainwreck, and I see one about to happen. I only care for JJ's sanity, and he went into this thing with eyes wide open, so he can fend for himself.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
I'm going to wait and see what happens before being upset on JJ's behalf. He seems a sharp fellow, and I suspect he knows what he's doing.
And I would posit that "the Lakers could slide into the Pacific" suggests something more insidious that just apathy.
Again, the word "upset" really isn't relevant here. Outside of liking JJ, I don't care a whit about any of them. I'd use the word "fascinated."I'm going to wait and see what happens before being upset on JJ's behalf. He seems a sharp fellow, and I suspect he knows what he's doing.
And I would posit that "the Lakers could slide into the Pacific" suggests something more insidious that just apathy.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
Oh okay. I was reading it wrong.
I thought you were inherently critical of anything assigned with Lebron. I'm hoping it goes well and JJ gets due respect for his role.
I had my Down on LeBron period way back in the Taking My Talents to Miami days. Since then I've grown to greatly respect how good he is, how durable, how hard he plays. And I'm still an admirer as long as he is happy letting JJ determine how much, if any, playing time Bronny gets. For some reason I can't see him being passive about this, but I could be totally wrong and maybe just having his son on the bench will suffice to keep him happy.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
Well my prediction was clearly too Lebron Positive (he signs for a small amount to allow the Lakers to sign important pieces around him because his goal is a ring with his son).
I guess the question is - does James want to PLAY with his son? Or win games with his son on the same team?
Two very different goals.
I've heard him use the word "play," which I've taken literally, so suspect he really wants him on the court. Wonder if JJ and LBJ have had that particular conversation.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
It's almost unfathomable that it wouldn't have been addressed on some level. Although a lot of our society seems to have given up on basic communication.
I think it's pretty obvious (to me at least) that he simply wants a season or two with his son and that Bronny plays meaningful minutes (i.e. not ride the pine or play in the G League) during that time. Competing for a title is definitely a secondary goal.
What blows my mind is that the Lakers, and the general NBA media, are completely ok with that. If I was a Lakers fan I'd be furious. Imagine if Scheyer gave a scholly and then meaningful minutes to his son at the expense of another 4/5 star recruit? Firstly, we'd all be furious and secondly the CBB media would be absolutely apoplectic about it.
Can't see Jordan ever doing something like that and that's why LeBron will never catch him in rings.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
I mean, colleges hire parents as assistant coaches in hopes of drawing a recruit. In the NBA, Mychal Thompson just this week was vocal about his disappointment that Klay didn't choose the Lakers (his father currently does broadcast work for them). Nepotism in sports isn't new by any stretch.
To me the difference between "yay, my son is on the team and that's super cool" and "yay, my son and I both have championship rings and that's super cool" is pretty significant. One feels like meddling. The other feels like an addiction to Lebron's legacy.
Regardless, I don't fault LeBron for angling for his son on the team. He can ask for anything he wants. Why not try?
We will see how it plays out.
SkyBrickey
Member
I thing it's a little premature to proclaim that Bronny will play meaningful minutes. If JJ gives him court time over more deserving guys then he may make dad happy but he will lose the locker room. I don't see that happening. JJ is smarter than that.
JJ is definitely smarter than that, but losing LeBron also means losing the locker room. It is an extremely difficult situation for JJ.