Shannon Sharpe couldn’t even defend her friend LeBron James because she was concerned about her son Bronny, the Lakers star, being left out of ESPN’s 2024 NBA Mock Draft.
Sharpe, who usually defends James on air, criticized James on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday, calling out LaVar Ball, the father of Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo, who is obsessed with attention. compared.
The remarks came after James defended Bronny, who suffered a cardiac arrest in July 2023 and is on time restriction as a freshman at the University of Southern California, in his first defense. Posted after being deleted At X, we asked those concerned about the outcome of mock drafts, “Can you please let kids be kids and enjoy college basketball?”
James previously sparked draft speculation by saying Bronny is already a better NBA player.
“That’s the same thing we did with LaVar Ball, when LaVar Ball said to his son, [former second overall pick and Bulls guard] Lonzo was better [Warriors guard] Stephen Curry,” Sharpe said, referring to LaVar’s controversial comments. FS1’s “Undisputed” in 2017.
Mr. Sharp, who left “Undisputed” last summer and joined ESPN in September, asked Mr. LaValle at the time whether he thought such a bold statement was a little too much.
“Bro, are you serious? You couldn’t have chosen another player?” Sharp said of LaBarre on Tuesday.
“When you do that…people are always looking. ‘See, I told you. I thought you said he was all about this.’
Sharpe also cited a statement James made on Twitter (now known as criticized Mr.
“The very fact that he’s playing college basketball should be celebrated and celebrated,” Sharp said. “The guy had very serious heart complications, but he’s playing now and averages five years.” [points]. So let’s bring him back and see what he does when he gets out of full training camp… He has a time limit and they can let him lose. Let’s see how it goes. ”
Bronny, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound guard and top NIL recruit with deals from Nike and Beats by Dre, suffered a cardiac arrest during a basketball practice at the University of Southern California in July 2023. , possibly caused by a congenital heart defect, according to a spokesperson for the James family.
Before that, James had expressed a desire to play alongside his eldest son in the NBA, and Bronny was being touted as a legitimate NBA draft candidate.
After a short stint away from the Trojans, the 19-year-old combo guard is averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game through 19 games this season.
He has started six games.
When Bronny was removed from ESPN’s 2024 NBA Mock Draft and returned to the 2025 edition, James publicly defended his son on social media.
“Please let your kids be kids and enjoy college basketball,” the Lakers star wrote in a now-deleted X post. “No matter what he decides to do, the work and the results will ultimately speak. If you guys don’t know, he doesn’t care about what’s in the mock draft, he just… Work! It’s not given, it’s earned!”
“And to all the other kids out there who are striving to be great, just put your head down, put your blinders on, and keep trying,” the four-time NBA champion continued. “These mock drafts don’t matter one bit! I promise you! Only the work matters!! Let’s talk about real basketball officials!”
