Bronny, a rookie averaging just 0.3 points per game, has become a focal point in debates over nepotism in sports. Critics, including Smith, have questioned whether Bronny’s selection was based on merit or merely to appease LeBron as he nears the end of his illustrious career. This scrutiny reached a boiling point as the Lakers surged to a remarkable 18-3 run, moving from the sixth seed to second in the Western Conference.