Can't believe LeBron is sleeping with his teammates own mom 😂

D.Sanders and Son’s say there’s Absolutely nothing wrong with that move.

The media is taking the LeBron apologia to a whole new level. Who cares? How about the people that didn't get drafted that were better than him

How TF does someone who averaged 4PPG get drafted... nepotism. Could have signed him as a free agent if they really wanted him.

"Daddy, pass me the ball!" - Bronny, probably

People in the media defending bronny because they also are nepotism

4.8 ppg on 36% from the field, 27% from 3 and at a small 6’2 guard only 67% from the line on a sub .500 team in the softest conference in college basketball, I’m all for parents wanting to set their kids up for success but this is just a pure handout and it’s disappointing, Bronny could probably be NBA ready with a few more years under his belt but LeBron is pushing his kid into a situation he’s not ready for just so he can “play with his son” like we care at all or that makes him better than Jordan lmao

I thought it was a Taco Bell commercial

I think it's pathetic to watch the media pander to LeBron to the point of pretending nepotism is not a problem. It's disgusting all the time, the fact it's already existing doesn't make this example of it any better. You guys are pathetic falling over yourselves to make excuses for the hypocritical bs.

Someone out there has worked their entire life to go pro in the NBA. Maybe they’re from a small town in the south, no indoor courts within 30 miles, and they practiced everyday to make a local low level competitive league adjacent to high school. Then they got better, grew to a solid playing height, and eventually played a full four years in college with good, but not superstar stats. This was a D1 school but they didn’t make the tournament. This person is hoping to get drafted somewhere in the second round so they can prove themselves one more time and make it to the pinnacle courts in the sport. And then Bronny James gets drafted. How’s that for a narrative Rich? That’s who it matters to. I care about that person infinitely more than the son of the best player to ever play, sorry not sorry. Makes a mockery of the spirit of competition and the spirit of “it doesn’t matter who you are, where you came from, what matters is how you play”.

Anthony Davis wants the Lakers to sign his Uncle Bucket, so he can play I. The NBA as his lifelong dream, before he turns 65....

He wasn't even good enough to play in college.

TJ's "No scrubs" reference deserves a lot more love.

Yet another reason why I call the NBA 'Not Basketball Anymore'. Actually, could care less. Will Bronny have an exclusive ESPN special where he decides if he's going to sign the contract?

It's possible that THIS is one of Rich's All-Time Worst Takes.

The draft should be based on merit not what your last name is

The Lakers drafted a “Make a wish kid” last night. Lebrons wish.

It’s about drafting the best player available period not draft your son because of what his father did 💯

It would be a better story if it wasn't about LeBron.

Bronny won't be his own man for the rest of his life.

Sure, Rich. Scream meritocracy one minute then defend this 😂

The issue isn't nepotism. The issue is that a franchise is making stupid choices to placate a 40-year-old star's massive ego. How's that working out for the Jets?

The media is taking the LeBron apologia to a whole new level. Who cares? How about the people that didn't get drafted that were better than him?

So funny hearing Isiah Wongs name thrown around. Played him in the first round of high school state playoffs and he killed us🤣

Griffeys did it first, but also both deserved to be in the league…

He took the draft spot of somebody who actually deserved it. Who cares? That guy, his friends, his family, his coaches, his teammates, everybody that helped him get to that point all so that LeBalco could be praised for the “enormous achievement” of activating cheats so that he could win the game of getting his son in the NBA with him because he knew he couldn’t otherwise.

Cmon Rich This is an absolute joke and is exactly what is wrong with a league in decline as they attempt to kiss the bum of King James at every turn

Rich was fairly level headed about this other than ignoring the pressure LeBron put on his son until he said he didn't think JJ will be getting pressure to play Bronny. You just said it's gonna be such a heartwarming moment to have them on the floor together. It's what everyone will now want to see. And no one will pressure JJ? Good one.

Ask these ppl to name literally ANY other player that was eligible to be drafted and they can’t do it, but YES it’s absolutely disgusting to draft a kid with a pick that no superstar has ever been drafted with. It’s all performative and disingenuous bs.

This is like listening to defenders of Jake Paul.

LeNepo James jr, earned his spot in the league.

That meritocracy is looking real good right now 😂

Conflict of interest is overlooked; Lebron owns Klutch Sports, which reps half the NBA. A lot of the NBA are Lebron's employees--by proxy. If Florio covered the NBA, he'd be all over this. Alone, Bronny would do the community college basketball tour, then maybe the drew league. C'mon Rich. An actual talent didn't get picked.

Who are we to say nepotism is wrong....I dunno....ethical people I guess

Anyone who had helped their kid get a job needs to pipe down their hypocrisy is showing .

Jokic got picked during a Taco Bell commercial *****

It's not about if previous 55th picks were mostly scrubs, it's about the fact that players better than Bronny won't get a chance to prove they aren't scrubs because that one pick is already spent on him just because he's LeBron's son

If he had any other name he would have gone undrafted. The entitlement is bonkers, he basically said “Lakers draft me or I go play in Australia”. Remember when he said he wanted to carve out his own career? Pepperidge Farms remembers. But it’s ok, he’ll be out of the league before we know it.

Real Lakers fans pissed about this pick.

We've had at least 3 father/son on the same team situations on the Red Wings. Howe, Bertuzzi, and Lindstrom. I don't think the Lindstrom's got to play together but they've both been part of the organization at the same time.

I guess Rich does still work for ESPN the way he defended Lebron, Bronny, and the Lakers.

Enough people think that the NBA is "orchestrated" and this is another example

So bc Bronny wasn’t smiling when he was drafted (dude was literally holding back tears, mind you) he’s not happy to be drafted into the league/with the lakers…ppl will find any reason to hate on anything related to Lebron

Why is the media defending this? He averaged 5 and 4 on a crappy USC team. He should at least play overseas.

The person who would’ve gotten drafted instead of Bronny cares

So Deion Sandwrs is going to be called out for nepotism, right? EXACTLY. This is only applies to LBJ. Grow up ppl.

The athlete, that did not get drafted this season, cares. I get that more often than not these players could be a bust, but they, unlike Bronny, earned that shot.

It's not a cool dad moment if you had to do everything in your power to orchestrate it. It's disgusting.

It's hard to appreciate being picked when you already knew it was happening. The media is blowing lebron James so hard right now acting like we didn't know this was going to happen

But even with the 55th pick you still wanna get someone with the best potential. Those other guys had more size and experience than Bronny.

The 'More Likely' question will be....if the Lakers are struggling....and especially if Brony is getting any playing time at all.."What are you sacrificing to satisfy LeBron, by realizing the 'father & son on the court', fantasy? Wouldn't we be better off doing (x,y,z...etc.)" I don't think the 'Why aren't you playing Brony?' will be a loud criticism.

Exactly Rich. It's not that big of a deal that LeBron wants to play with his son and the Lakers drafted him with the 55th pick. Now if they had used the 17th pick that would have been a controversy.

Question: who cares Answer: everyone who ever wanted a fair shot to make a basketball team

delonte west calling lebron a hypocrite

All of the players named are way better and more prepared for the pros than Bronny James. You're not making the point you think you're making Rich.

Takes like this make me really appreciate people like Charles Barkley and Jim Rome. Who are one of a kind! They may be the only people in sports media that tells it like it is regardless of their relationship with the athlete or not. This take reminds me there’s TOO MUCH “cakin” in sports media now a days. Rich (among others) are worried about his sports relationships vs just telling it like it is. 🙄 All these NICE GUY TAKES ARE BECOMING OLD AND CORNY (In my opinion)

lol Rich cracks me up!! 😂

Here's what people don't understand. If Bronny James was a highly ranked player he would have been drafted early and not by the Lakers unless they traded up. Being that he is a project allowed the Lakers to take him at 55. And the person who missed out would have been picked #61. In that case you're better off being a free agent and try to catch on with a team where you think you fit in depth wise. Really how many players in the NBA draft 55 or later actually makes it onto a NBA roster and makes an impact?

Only because the kid wasn’t good enough for college, let alone the pros.

Nepotism/favoritism is despised. He won’t have many fans.

I've never heard of someone "off the street" go into cardiac arrest and found a congenital heart defect, have surgery the year prior then get drafted... that would end everyone else's career b4 it even started... i think that's what upsets ppl

I'm really tired of hearing about Bronny. There were other players that were drafted we could also talk about. Media always has to over blow up everything. Cover everything guys

Care to rationalize how the GM talks about how he (the draftee) is “ not entitled” What a full blown clown show

This is just more evidence that Rich is not a sport journalist, he is an entertainer. All of his opinions on sports are geared toward creating a story or getting clicks on his sites. And to be honest that is pretty much every single talking head out there today. ESPN has went from a sports news channel to the Jerry Springer of sports and Rich has been a major player in this evolution since day 1.

Standards matter until the cheque clears, then it’s not such a big deal anymore.

The lakers just showed players if you help us we’ll help you

Second round picks are typically Summer League fodder, it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme.

I actually feel a little bad for the kid. 9:00 When have you ever seen that expression after someone just got drafted? He knows what's coming. Rich says who cares because it is a late second round pick and they he listed guy picked in that spot who are now in the Italian league. That's exactly the problem. Bronny isn't going to the Italian League. He's going to make the team and he will probably get significant minutes. Rich's take makes sense if you could cut that guy. Anyone think Bronny's getting cut under any circumstances while LeBron's on the team?

You made the point that all the players taken at this spot in the 2nd round are bad players, but Bronny is not even on THAT level. It’s nothing but a publicity stunt, which is just another crack in the dam of legitimacy for the NBA. Of course Rich doesn’t care because he’s gonna do the same thing for his son when he is of age.

Don't act like wherever you are right now, big or small, is because of who you know or don't know. Welcome to reality.

If i were an NBA player, whenever he plays , will defend like that's the most important duty of all time. can't let that kid score after getting draft for being son of his father

Rich, You are so invested in what a great "story" this is, I don't think you realize THAT is why Bronny had this look on his face. Even YOU are dismissing his possibility as a difference maker and saying it's to appease his dad. What do you think that is going to do to his psyche to constantly here talk like that? THAT is why he had an emotionless look on his face on what should have been one of the happiest days of his life.

It's the 55th pick. Sure, the whole "only working out for these two teams" "draft him and he goes to Australia" is not the best, but if they had taken him with the 17th pick then yeah, raise the pitchforks. The 55th pick is a developmental project that usually ends up in the G league or overseas or just out of basketball altogether. He'll start or come into a game with Bron to make history and unless he really develops he will end up bouncing between teams like a lot of role players.

Maybe, I'm weird. But, if I was Bronny, I'd be slightly miffed that no one else seemed interested me. I'd also wonder if I was picked ONLY because of who my father is.

Looks like all the talking heads are scared of LBJ unfollowing them or something

Rich, the time i heard you speak about the girl going to croatia, was when you were on new heights and travis had bailed and left you alone with jason, but he had a really good reason that didnt sound legit to which, you likened it to her. Hope this helps.

Bronnys agent already said he's not gonna sign a 2 way contract, so he won't be playing in the G league. He'll be on the bench watxhing his dad play

Who cares? The guy that should've been drafted in place of him. Think the Lakers will keep Bronny if Lebron opts out?

Rich talking about the last 55h picks show what a joke this is Somehow this 55tth pick that averaged 4 points a game on a bad USC team is sitting on the lakers bench. Since of course his agent is saying he’s nit accepting a two way contract Total clown show

Ok? Then the lakers better not claim they are trying to win This is just a circus……… treat it as such

I feel bad for the last guy on the bench. He just lost his job because LeBron wants his son on the team. I understand LeBron wanting to be with his son, but someone is now out of a paycheck because of it. Sports are supposed to be a meritocracy.

Come on people, just move on! You can’t see Bronny to get drafted and that bothers that much you need help LOL

As part of signing LeBron James its completely merited, just some others effected to make someone happy Shaq, R.Cobb, Lazard, Jordan Palmer, etc

My issue isn't with the Lakers drafting him. The issue is that Rich Paul threatened other teams on drafting an available player on behalf of his business partner who is the players Father and a member of the Lakers. This feels like it should be reviewed for tampering. Maybe the league should take a first rounder away from the Lakers, would it be worth then Rich?

Who cares is right! This kid is not an NBA player. Total BS. You are better than this Rich, come on man!!

Would you trade away a 2nd round pick for Lebron? Why wouldn't the Lakers waste a 2nd round pick to keep Lebron happy?

Rich Eisen opinion, spoken like a guy who has never killed himself to succeed in anything athletic

Takes just 20 seconds to google Jay Scrubb on Wikipedia: tore his ACL in October last year, and was waived out of his two-way contract by the Celtics. So that's why he is out of Basketball and obviously, it is a bad look to crack jokes about a guy who has a serious injury and his team just got rid of him, instead of helping him to get back.

Does the Lakers management think jack Nicholson gonna sit Court side for the father son podcast live on the court

Sometimes, though not too often, this show will miss the mark. Ohtani situation being a recent example. Absolutely the case here too. Listen, the Lakers could have signed him undrafted then. You don't take a player who doesn't deserve to be selected overs who do and earned it. That's who cares. Those guys who battled for every minute, overcame who knows what, leaders a team. This is all about power from LeBron and had it all set up. It's also nepotism at its finest. What's next, bench a couple guys deeper in the rotation for Bronny to play? Maybe start him because LeBron says so? Folks, there's a reason Reddick was hired as HC.. he is by title but not in reality. LeBron is HC, GM and player and it's simply wrong. This isn't "family business" it's pro sports. The sooner LBJ retires, the better.

Would you trade lebron for a second round pick? If thats a foolish question then its also foolish to act like there was any other choice.

Watch pick 56 become an absolute star

Jealousy is a helluva drug 😂

Agree with all points, but also, Chris is definitely right about the JJ Redick questioning. Hate to say it, but its true

Notice they are talking about everything else but Bronny Jame's ability.

Hey, Chris, do we really your opinion on the Lakers? No. But stay pressed.

It matters because it makes a joke out of earning the right to play in the NBA through hard work. Also, if one out of 30 teams prefers to be a circus than win games it diminishes the entire league.

The only thing that’s different about this is a player and agent made moves to ensure a player was drafted by his team. I’ve never heard of this and it doesn’t seem fair and competitive.

Lost it for Rich. Take care.

The problem isn't drafting Bronny. The problem is the lack of any commitment on the Lakers front office to make the team worthy of the attention they are getting every single day by living up to their stated mission: Championships. Seven head coaches since Phil Jackson. A GM who got his job because he was Kobe's agent. A new head coach with zero coaching experience at any level. Roster decisions which make no sense. Bronny is but a symptom of a bigger disease.