John Salley Tells Bronny James Haters To Pipe Down

TMZSports.com

To those hating on Bronny JamesJohn Salley‘s got a message for y’all — pipe down!!!

The former Lakers center defended LeBron James‘ son and L.A.’s decision to pick him up in June’s NBA draft this week … saying straight up, all of the teenager’s detractors are simply “mad they didn’t think of it or do it” themselves.

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“Listen,” the four-time NBA champion told TMZ Sports out at LAX. “If my dad had the power, if my dad was the leading scorer, if my dad was able to take a pay cut so I could get a check — it’s like no other business.”

Bronny, of course, was a star in high school … earning McDonald’s All-American honors following a helluva career at Sierra Canyon. But, when he joined USC, his career never quite took off, in part due to the cardiac arrest he suffered in a preseason workout.

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Still, the Lakers took him with the 55th overall pick — and haters everywhere screamed nepotism.

Salley clearly thinks all those whining should shut it — telling us he and everyone else would do the same thing if they were in the James Gang’s shoes.

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In fact, Salley’s advising LeBron to stay at it and play in the league a few more years … so he can hoop with his other son, Bryce!

“Listen to me, Bron,” he said. “Don’t ever quit, bro!”