Big Shoes To Fill

Making it to the NBA is already a longshot within itself. Imagine being the son of a NBA player. Sure they’ve lived a life many can only dream of but, the unrealistic expectations would overwhelm many. It makes you wonder in the age of social media and unfiltered criticism coming your way how do these kids manage to keep their composure? There's many 2nd generation NBA players and many more on the way.

The most extreme case of scenario would be Shareef O’Neal trying to fill his father’s size 22’s en route to building his own legacy as a NBA player. The 6’9 high school senior who's currently committed to Arizona is ranked 29th on ESPN’s top 100 recruits of 2018. He has the chance to be the first 2nd generation NBA player of a top 20 all time scorer. Imagine what it has to be like wanting to just play but the shadow of your father's hall of fame resume is hanging over you while people measure you up to that. Although I think he's pretty much used to it by now put yourself in his position at his age. Some people will allow him time to grow as a player and be patient while many if not most will be ready to label him as a bust the very first time he has a bad game. Top recruits have it rough with the court of general opinion but to be a top recruit with a hall of fame father is just a whole different beast.

The other day I stumbled across a list of insane triple doubles and later saw this tweet from Bol Bol who's the son of the late Manute Bol and also one of Shareef’s former AAU teammates. He’s heading to Oregon next fall as the number 4 recruit. He too has extreme expectations but if anyone is expecting him to top this stat line they’re crazy.

I just found out My dad had 32points 29rebounds 31blocks in a game 🤯

— Bol Bol (@bolmanutebol) January 24, 2018

I say all that to say this…. give these kids a fair shot and allow them to be themselves. Nobody measured Luke Walton up to his father Bill Walton but he was a solid role player and NBA champion nonetheless. Not everyone is going to exceed their father's career like Steph Curry has. On a planet with over 7 billion people only 469 are in the NBA. Just a handful are 2nd generation players. It's rare so as fans we should just appreciate seeing kids follow their father's footsteps instead of bashing them because they don't look like hall of famers in their first nationally televised game. Along with the quality of the sport the fans have to be better as well...