The criticism that followed Bronny James getting drafted 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers based on his current skill is understandable, but the frustration comes from a shallow space. What’s often overlooked is the positive impact this opportunity can have on Bronny’s growth and development, both as a player and as a person.
My question to the naysayers is, do you have the handbook to being a Black father in America? In a world where 65 percent of African American children are born in single-parent households, a Black father loving his children the way LeBron does isn’t getting any criticism from me, and it shouldn’t from you—a reminder: LeBron is writing his blueprint to fatherhood because he didn’t have a father himself. I’ve always said I’ll never criticize a Black man raising his kids with complete sincerity, the best they know how.
Let’s get this straight––I’m not a father. But I can only assume how I’d act if my son showed even the slightest level of skill in journalism and expressed aspirations to pursue it as a career. If you think I’m going to block the opportunity for my son to write for the Suave Report, even if he’s not entirely on par talent-wise with our other writers, you’re very mistaken. I’m hiring him, and he’ll learn from the best in the business (me being the best in the business. At least in my opinion).
I come from a family of musicians. My grandmother was a music professor at Langston University and was the first Black woman in the Oklahoma City Symphony. My father was a band director for over 30 years and taught stringed bass as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. He was also the first Black member of the current Oklahoma City Philharmonic. I played a few instruments, but my best was the trumpet. I had an opportunity to play trumpet for my father at Frederick A. Douglass High School, the Pride of the neighborhood I grew up in. I turned the opportunity down in eighth grade partially because I didn’t want to be in his shadow. I gave up the trumpet at the end of my junior year because I found a new passion.
The moral of that short story is yes, I decided that I didn’t want to pursue my father’s career, but if I did, he would have moved mountains to have me under him in his band, probably would have contacted his collegiate band director counterparts around the country and made sure I had a full scholarship in the marching band. That’s a father’s love.
The President of the Lakers, Jeanie Buss, inherited the team from her father, Jerry, following his passing in 2013. There was little to no outrage. Jerry Jones has given his family leadership positions within America’s wealthiest sports franchise. There has been little to no outrage. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a roster spot waiting for his brother Thanasis, who isn’t an NBA caliber talent. Stephen A. Smith and the guys debated heavily about that, most criticizing the decision by the Bucks, but outside of them, there was little to no outrage.
Corporate America is built on nepotism in some of the highest and most important positions in the most potent, influential companies, and although wrong, it’s considered normality––woven into our American fabric.
LeBron James and his agent, Rich Paul, did what they had to do for the Los Angeles Lakers to draft Bronny with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft.
Is Bronny ready for the NBA right now? No. He is 6-foot-2 inches tall with shoes on, has a pre-existing heart condition, and came off the bench for USC, which didn’t make the NCAA Tournament last season while only averaging 4.8 points. But he does have NBA potential.
That’s why, as a basketball fan and a personal fan of the Lakers, I understand being upset with them drafting a kid who isn’t ready for the NBA instead of someone who may––keyword “may” turn into a productive role player in a shorter time than Bronny. But we all know that Bronny isn’t an ordinary kid looking to get to the league. He’s the son of a top three all-time player, that some (not me) argue is the GOAT.
But in the eyes of the son of a passionate father who built an enormous legacy, a journalist who dreams of his future son following in his footsteps, and simply understanding a Black father trying to do what he thinks is best for his son, I stand with LeBron. I am happy to see both he and Bronny fulfill their dreams.
Nice editorial. I agree 100-percent!