There are undeniable advantages to being the child of legends of the caliber of LeBron James, however, there are also great expectations that often end up playing against them
Bronny is not just a rookie with potential, but the son of one of the best players in NBA history, an enormous weight he carries on his shoulders, so heavy that on similar occasions many young people have been prevented from developing their full potential.
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That’s why Shaquille O’Neal wants to prevent his eldest son, Shareef, from having to go through the same thing. Shareef is now 25 years old and 2.13 meters tall, so everyone expects him to have a playing style identical to his father’s, while he wants to play his own style.
Everybody sees me, ‘oh, he has to play exactly like Shaquille O’Neal’
Shaquille O’Neal does not want to be compared to his son
Despite their different playing styles, it seems inevitable for the media to fall into comparisons as they ultimately share the same surname. Something similar to what has happened with LeBron and Bronny, who also play together on the same team
“I don’t want him to play because it would be a shame for him to be compared to me, similar to what is happening to Bronny James now. It’s unfair to him, and I don’t want him to go through that,” Shaquille O’Neal revealed.
Why does Shaquille O’Neal want to keep his son away from the NBA?
However, the main reason Shaq wants to keep his son off the court is for health reasons. Shareef underwent heart surgery similar to that of Bronny James, and it was at that time that Shaquille O’Neal seriously doubted whether to let his son become a professional athlete.
But when the offer came from the Kings, Shareef did not think twice and accepted it, starting to forge his own path in the NBA. Despite his high-risk cardiac trauma, Shareef does not give up and continues to fulfill his dream.
“I’ve always missed playing basketball. It’s an opportunity I’ll never turn down. I think getting this call was a sign from God. It was totally random, but it was meant for me, so I’m going to try out,” said Shareef, who is also working for Reebok, a brand his father seems determined to revitalize.
