The 2024 NBA Draft has come and gone, but it will be etched in the history books perpetually.

I’m sure that you’ve heard. But, in case, you haven’t, hear it here from Think-Talk.

The French Got This!

The Real Draft replicated the Mock and returned the French players Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr as the first and second picks respectively. Two more French players were selected in Round One and another (#51 pick) in Round Two for a total of five French players.

Woohoo vive la France 🇫🇷 !

The James Legacy!

The headline of the Draft was that Bronny James (BJ), son of LeBron James (LBJ) of Los Angeles Lakers (LAL) was drafted as the #55 pick by the organization, LAL. And the tongues are wagging that the boy, BJ, does not merit the pick, but was selected because (1) the organization (LAL) wanted to please LBJ, their super star athlete; and (2) that the organization was trying to redeem itself, and look good, after failing to advance in the playoffs last season.

LBJ has continuously made it clear that his dream would be to play with his son, BJ, before retiring. The dream was partially realized as BJ was selected as the #55 pick by LAL. He had strategically made it happen. LBJ probably deferred his retirement just for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Analysis!

There were a total of seventy- eight drafts. Only fifty-eight were selected. The remaining twenty have to move on to alternatives or retry next year.

Could any one of them have been selected instead of BJ?

Whether BJ’s potentials surpassed the remaining un-drafted 20 remains unanswered

More Questions …!

Based on the foregoing, what is your opinion of the whole situation? Not that our opinion will change anything, but what can we learn from it.

• 1. If you were in LBJ or BJ, or even LAL’s shoes, would you have done differently?
• 2. Is it fair that BJ was picked above those 20 un-draftees despite, allegedly, not ranking higher
• 3. Is it socially and ethically acceptable to be selected for something, not based on merit, but because of whose you are?
• 4. What message is being passed on to the rest of future generation basketball players
• 5. The questions keep flooding the social media and causing a divide.

My Thoughts

First, congratulations to all the draftees for being invited in the first place and being a part of something special

Secondly, double congratulations to all fifty-eight who were drafted. Think-Talk wishes them all the very best of experiences in the League.

Mixed Emotions

As a parent, I empathize with LBJ and wish Bronny the very best. I hope that BJ lives up to the expectations and hype of being LBJ’s legacy.

I’m not an LBJ fan, but I salute him for all his accomplishments in the League; for still being the only 2003 draftee in the League; including still being able to play the game competitively as any twenty year old in the League. I also love that his Foundation funds a public school in his hometown of Akron, OH.

For all his contributions to the game, NBA, and the community at large, I feel it’s only befitting to grant him “his wish.” Right?

On the other hand, I feel that there would have been much more joy all round if BJ had been a top-notch standout draftee. Too bad that the public forgot so soon that he suffered a cardiac arrest during college practice and before his first game.

Could his stats and potentials been better had he not had the unfortunate incident?

All-in-all, I am happy for the family. It is a parent’s wish to be able to pass the baton on. I am therefore happy for LBJ that he’s able to do that with his son.

I pray that the tongues stop wagging and instead start praying for BJ and LBJ. LBJ might have a great reason to play his extremely best for his fifth championship ring. How awesome would that be to play with his son and hand him his first ring?!

Think-Talk wishes them well. 2024-25 NBA Season is looking great already. 😊