Why the optics of drafting Bronny James are much worse than signing Keljin Blevins, Thanasis Antetokounmpo or Chris Smith

#1. The Lakers drafted Bronny James, unlike the other names

It would be one thing if, like Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers, Rob Pelinka had signed his star player's family member after he went undrafted.

Keljin Blevins' basketball career, however forgettable it is, is something he was mostly able to create off his own ability. JR Smith's brother Chris Smith went through the process of joining a Summer League roster and competing before he was gifted his paycheck.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo, whose name comes up most prominently beside Bronny's in the nepotism discussion, was also drafted off the strength of his own draft profile. He was picked up by a Knicks team that saw potential in his tools after he exhibited them in the D-League. He came up the ranks the hard way.

None of this can be said about Bronny James' NBA venture. All we can see in the public eye is how he's fallen well short of the 'certified stud' status required to be a real, viable NBA draft pick.