We get a lot of mail here at Bob and Jim and although we always try to get back to everyone, sometimes it’s just not possible. So let’s have a look at some of the most popular.
Bronny James – What is he and what should we expect? So as most folks know Bronny is the son of NBA legend LeBron James and he has just entered University and will be eligible for the 2024 NBA draft upcoming in 6 months. He is a competent basketball player but there are a lot of competent basketball players in the US. He’s not expected to go in the first round and without his famous father, might not have stood a chance of even being drafted this year. However, LeBron has made it known publicly that he wants to play on the same team as Bronny and therefore will join any team that signs him.
Does anyone want a 40 year old LeBron? Sure they do.At 39 he’s still among the top 10 players in the league. Lot’s of teams would like the cache of having James around for a year or two, but are they willing to pay what it would take? Well, LeBron has a player option he can opt out of next year for $51 million, but who would pay him that? Who would pay him that much over the next 2 years? Not me, but I’m not an NBA GM so my vote doesn’t really count.
Finally, let’s not forget one thing, Bronny had a cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest, which is different from a heart attack, is the leading cause of death for young athletes in the U.S., according to the Mayo Clinic. In Bronny’s case, it was determined that it was most likely the result of a congenital heart defect and while he has returned to full basketball duties at USC, what NBA Executive wants to take a chance on a player dying on the court during a game.
Even so, the James name and legacy looms large over the NBA these days and it is likely that someone will take Bronny and if my guess is correct it will be the Lakers by hook or by crook who make it happen so James can stay. So if someone asks you, feel confident in telling them that Bronny is going to the Lakers.
What’s going on with Draymond Green and what is an indefinite suspension? This is a question I get often and I’m glad to answer it although in the time between when I started this post and this moment it would seem his indefinite suspension is over. But let’s go back and figure out what happened.
Draymond has had a long, long history of being one of the best defenders in the NBA. Unfortunately, he has also cultivated the persona of a bully. I won’t go into all of the incidents that led to this latest suspension, suffice it to say he has cost his team a championship and significantly derailed the careers of more than one other NBA player. What he hasn’t done yet is cause someone a significantly serious injury. But after dragging Rudy around the court in a headlock and this latest incident which saw him swing around and punch another player in the head, it won’t be long until he does.
As a result, Adam Silver tried to send a very strong message that this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated by implementing a suspension that was based on Draymond accomplishing certain requirements before he could get back on the court. In the end, it looks like the suspension will have been for 13 games – a significant number compared to others, but not near enough to really send a message in my opinion.
Will it make a difference? Will Draymond learn something from this? I’m sorry to say I believe no, no he won’t. He’s made too much money and had too much success to ever believe he should act in any way other than the way he believes he should act. And I do believe it’s only a matter of time before he does hurt someone. Hopefully, it’s not too serious and hopefully that will be the last time the NBA gives him a chance to hurt someone.