The NBA season began with a historic moment as LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together in a game for the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron, starting his 22nd season at age 39, made a significant impact alongside his son, who recently recovered from a cardiac arrest incident and was drafted by the Lakers. The duo delighted fans at the Crypto.com Arena, marking a memorable milestone in sports history and family legacy.
The NBA season kicked off with an unforgettable moment as LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together on the court in Los Angeles with the Lakers on Tuesday.
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LeBron James, a record-setting player entering his 22nd NBA season at the age of 39, made history once again by sharing the court with his son, Bronny, who is just embarking on his professional journey at 20 years old.
During the second quarter, Bronny joined the game for the first time alongside his father with just four minutes left in the period, while the Lakers enjoyed a 16-point advantage. Almost immediately, LeBron delivered a stunning dunk.
Before stepping onto the court, LeBron encouraged his son, saying, “Are you ready? Do you see the intensity? Play without holding back,” as captured by television microphones.
This special moment comes a little over a year after Bronny experienced a cardiac arrest during a college practice in July 2023. LeBron had faced uncertainty about his future career at that time, yet he chose to continue playing with the hope of spending his final years in the league alongside his son, who has now resumed his development.
After Bronny was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in June, the James family reflected on the challenging moments they faced together. LeBron shared, “We thought about that scary moment that happened to us,” emphasizing the significance of Bronny’s achievement.
“The moment he steps on an NBA floor, he’ll be able to remember everything he went through to reach this point,” LeBron added.
A Joyful Experience
LeBron and Bronny previously played a few minutes together during a preseason game against Phoenix on October 6 in Palm Springs, California.
“The preseason has been a joy, with workouts, traveling together, and I’ve enjoyed showing him the ropes and discussing what being a professional is all about. It’s been incredibly rewarding,” LeBron elaborated.
At the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, the James duo excited fans, including baseball legends Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who experienced a similar bond on the baseball field in the early ’90s. The Griffeys and Jameses shared a photo opportunity before the game began.
Throughout history, several father-son duos have left their mark on American sports, such as Gordie Howe with his sons Mark and Marty in the NHL, and Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr. in MLB during the early 2000s.
After this landmark debut, Bronny’s role with the Lakers under new coach JJ Redick, who is a close associate of LeBron, remains to be seen.
Unlike the significant expectations LeBron faced during his rookie season in 2003, the young guard may not receive extensive playing time and is likely to continue his development between the NBA and the G League.
Meanwhile, LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, aims to maintain his remarkable career just over two months after winning gold with Team USA at the Paris Olympics. The pursuit of another championship with the Lakers, who were eliminated in the first round by Denver last spring, will certainly be challenging, especially considering the team did not make major changes over the summer.