By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
We are in an era in the NBA where players are following in the footsteps of their dads. Sons who have looked up to their father’s career and achievements in the NBA want to emulate that.
Scottie Pippen Jr., son of basketball legend and hall of famer Scottie Pippen, has earned his stripes in the NBA and is an important piece to the Memphis Grizzlies team. He didn’t get there by nepotism.
Nepotism is very common in many industries, especially in business and Hollywood. In the NBA, we could see the beginning of a nepotism disaster. Bronny James, son of Lebron James, didn’t earn his stripes like Pippen Jr.
Bronny got frayed by the Lakers in the second round while averaging four points a game at USC. Bronny l got drafted and made his NBA debut because of his father. It’s an unfair situation because more worthy players in the G-league deserve more than Bronny.
Pippen Jr. deserves more attention and respect than Bronny. He went undrafted in 2022. He played one season for the Lakers before being sent to the G-League. Pippen Jr. is currently in his second season with the Grizzlies, and he’s been very helpful and an asset.
Last season, he averaged 12 points a game. In his first postseason experience this season, he averaged 18 points a game and stepped up for a banged up Ja Morant.
In Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pippen Jr. scored 28 points. In Game 4, he finished with a double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds. Although the Grizzlies got swept, it’s a sign of many good things to come for Pippen Jr. and the Grizzlies.
Bronny could get better if the Lakers develop him well, but he’s not ready for the NBA and doesn’t deserve all the attention he’s getting. Pippen Jr deserves it and earned it.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
X: @mmm_sportnfilms, Instagram: @miguel_passionforsports and @themmmjournal, LinkedIn: The MMM Journal, TikTok: @miguelmikemedina
