Shaquille O'Neal wants everyone to give Bronny James a break as he begins his NBA career.

James, the eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 draft.

Many fans and analysts are calling this selection "nepotism" and questioning Bronny's ability to succeed at the NBA level.

"I would like the scrutiny to get off Bronny James," Shaq said during the most recent episode of The Big Podcast. "My nephew. He's a kid. Great kid. All he wants to do is play. It's unfortunate for kids that have to live up to what we have done. I hope he was the opportunity to play well. I hope he has the opportunity to make a name for himself.

"I'm sitting watching all this [criticism]. All that stuff's unnecessary."

No matter what Shaq says, people are always going to be critical of Bronny James. Unfortunately, that criticism comes with the territory when you're the son of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) celebrates with his son Bronny James after breaking the all-time scoring record in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena.

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Bronny will look to prove his critics wrong when he takes the court for his rookie season in 2024-25.

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss seemingly hinted at once hooking up with franchise legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson back in the ’70s.

Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson (Photos via Getty Images)

Jeanie Buss inherited the Lakers from her father, Jerry Buss, following his passing at the age of 80 in 2013. Magic Johnson worked in the Lakers’ front office from 2017 to 2019, serving as the president of basketball operations.

Johnson played a pivotal role in recruiting LeBron James in 2018 free agency. Two years later, James led the Lakers to an NBA Championship (their first in 10 years) in the Orlando Bubble.

During a recent appearance on “ALL THE SMOKE” hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Jeanie Buss recalled one of the first interactions she had with Johnson after he was drafted first overall in 1979.

Buss recalled seeing Johnson’s signature and flashy smile when she opened the door to welcome him inside. And with the way she told the story, some fans are now convinced that Buss and Johnson hooked up that night:

Buss recalled Johnson even telling her that his plan was to leave the Lakers in three years so that he could play for his hometown team, the Detroit Pistons. After Jeanie relayed the message to her father, Dr. Buss promised Johnson wouldn’t play for another team after putting on the Lakers jersey.

Jeanie Buss & Magic Johnson Brought Lakers Back To Relevance

The Lakers endured one of their worst stretch runs in franchise history from 2014 to 2019, finishing no better than 37-45 during that stretch. They missed the playoffs every year and had little draft lottery luck.

But Buss’ decision to bring Johnson back in 2017 proved to be a franchise-changing move. If not for Johnson, perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers would not have recruited LeBron, and their period of irrelevance would have lasted even longer.