ESPN is showing hypocrisy by expressing shock over Bronny James, which can be traced back to draft day. On that day, which was during the second part of the two-day draft arranged by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, ESPN’s coverage attempted to create significant hype around Bronny. The network even hinted multiple times that Bronny could be off the table by the time the Los Angeles Lakers had their pick. During this time, a Lakers reporter even used a quote from Anthony Davis praising Bronny’s abilities, mentioning how he could defend various positions and evolve into a top-notch shooter.

“Certainly he’s a name worth watching,” Dave McMenamin said on the broadcast. “We’re just waiting to see, like the Lakers are waiting to see, if he’ll still be available when we get to No. 55.” 

Of course, the truth was always that Bronny would be drafted by the Lakers, and that he was neither ready for the NBA nor worthy of any 2024 pick. As one executive texted a few days before the draft, “If his name were Joe Thomas, we wouldn’t be talking about him. I don’t really see it right now. If he had another two years in college, it might be different but not sure.” 

Still, ESPN built their entire draft coverage around a forgone nepotism pick, and now, over seven months later, tried to present Bronny’s struggles as both predictable and an indictment on LeBron’s parenting.