George Karl calls out naysayers questioning LeBron James’ ‘influence’: “You may want to look in the mirror”
LeBron James and Bronny James will make history when the 2024-25 NBA campaign opens. After 77 seasons, the league will have its first father-son duo after James Jr. was selected by the LA Lakers in this year’s draft. The four-time MVP said in the past that playing with the former Trojan was the biggest basketball goal he has yet to accomplish.
James can check that off his list as Lakers GM Rob Pelinka obliged arguably the best to ever play the game. Landing James Jr., however, did not come without any controversy, which was unsurprising. Everything the 20x All-Star does is relentlessly and brutally scrutinized.
George Karl, who has no love lost for Laker fans, surprisingly defended LeBron James on X, formerly Twitter:
“LeBron has made our sport better, played the game the right way, always been a pro and has created the opportunity to have as much influence as he wants for as long as he wants.
“If you don’t like that, you may want to look in the mirror.
“Keep doing your thing @KingJames”
Leading into the draft, LeBron James’ eldest son refused to work out for other teams except for the LA Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. Before the second day of the draft started, former Golden State Warriors GM and now ESPN analyst Bob Myers dropped a bomb. Myers said that Rich Paul, the father-son duo’s agent, allegedly told teams not to draft the erstwhile USC guard.
Paul’s client would reportedly take his talents to Australia if somebody other than the Lakers took him off the draft board.
“King James” shed tears of joy when Bronny James was drafted by the Lakers. While many in Laker Nation rejoiced, Myers’ report created a storm on social media, prompting fans to blast the NBA superstar for his influence.
George Karl, who once said that the LA Lakers’ 2020 championship didn’t count, couldn’t disagree more about the criticism LeBron James faced after the draft.
LeBron James proved to George Karl that he is still arguably the biggest NBA superstar
After going back and forth with Laker fans in the playoffs, George Karl finally said something about LeBron James. Last month, he claimed that there are “less than 10 superstars” in the NBA today.
The former Denver Nuggets coach continued:
“They are Joker, Luka, SGA, GA, Tatum, Joel and maybe still Steph.
“LeBron was and ANT will be soon.
“That’s it.”
On Thursday, LeBron James might have proven George Karl wrong. No other superstar could have arguably done what he just pulled off in the 2024 NBA Draft to create more history. The plan to bring Brony James to Hollywood was so well-executed by James and Rich Paul that even Karl defended it.