To those hating on Bronny James, John 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.
"Listen," the four-time NBA champion told TMZ Sports out at LAX.