Stephen A. Smith has an interesting theory about the peculiar way Bronny James’ draft stock has risen for the upcoming NBA Draft.
The ESPN analyst recently discussed to complexities of drafting LeBron’s son Bronny and he thinks the way the former USC guard has gone from No.98 to No.54 in the ESPN draft rankings is a little bit suspect.
“So much of what’s transpiring seems so transparent, it’s insulting,” Smith said on First Take. “Bronny James is ranked 98th on the talent pool. He goes to the NBA combine and it drops 44 slots to 54. And the Lakers have the 55th pick in the second round. I mean, really? He didn’t drop 38 slots, to 58 or 60. He didn’t drop 50 slots to 48. Oh no. Right around the number where the Lakers get the pick.
“In other words, so if we pick him, it’s justified because, ‘Look, they had him ranked 54th and we had the 55th pick.’ I mean come on, man.”
The outspoken analyst went on clarify that he wishes nothing but the best for Bronny, but thinks it’s unfair what is happening to him.
“I guess one plus one really does equal four. I mean, it’s just the math. You can’t make this stuff up,” Smith said. “At some point in time, it’s like too much looks too damn obvious. And so I look at Bronny James and I’m like, ‘Man I’m rooting for this kid. Great kid. Wish him nothing for the best. Wonderful family, wonderful kid, all of that other stuff.’ But when stuff like this happens, it just invites cynicism and skepticism. And that’s totally unfair to that kid, because he did nothing to warrant that.”
In rankings across the basketball world, Bronny is ranked 55th by Bleacher Report, 56th by CBS, 69th by The Ringer and 79th by NBADraft.net.
On May 24th, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony ranks Bronny at No.54, which is the Celtics’ pick and just one pick before the Lakers’ second-round pick.
READ MORE: Bronny James Set to Enter NBA Draft After Forgoing College Eligibility