LeBron and Bronny James became the first father and son to play in any NBA game together during the first-half of the Lakers’ preseason contest against Phoenix, playing just over four minutes side-by-side in the second quarter on Sunday night.
“It’s pretty cool for the both of us, and especially for our family,” LeBron said. “It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget.”
The James family’s remarkable moment coincidentally happened on Bronny’s 20th birthday, and it felt like a celebration for the 39-year-old LeBron, who has spoken about his desire for this opportunity since Bronny was in high school.
Although LeBron knows they will get more chances to play together in the Lakers’ upcoming season, the first time on court together in uniform felt “not real” to the four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star.
“For a father, it means everything,” LeBron said. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up [LeBron James’s father was absent from his life], to be able to have that influence on your kids and have that influence on your son, be able to have moments with your son – and the ultimate, to be able to work with your son – that’s one of the greatest things that a father could ever hope for or wish for.”
Bronny entered the preseason game as a substitute to begin the second quarter, joining his father on court at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley. Bronny was told by coach JJ Redick before the game that he would be playing alongside LeBron, but the rookie maintained his usual cool demeanour both before and after the moment.
“I was pretty psyched for that,” Bronny said.
Bronny is still learning how to navigate an on-court relationship with his father, who has repeatedly insisted that his son can’t call him “Dad” on the court. “I’m always thinking about, ‘That’s my dad!’, because that’s literally my dad,” Bronny said. “But when I’m playing, he’s just my team-mate. That’s all.”
Their minutes together weren’t as smooth as they’ll be later in the season: Bronny committed two turnovers and LeBron made another in their first two minutes. Shortly after LeBron hit a three-pointer moments later, LeBron got the ball to Bronny and set a screen for his son’s three-point attempt, but Bronny missed.
“I was really hoping that ... would have gone in,” Redick said with a smile. “That would have been a cool moment. But they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.”
Bronny came off for a substitute 4:09 into the second quarter, and LeBron came off 25 seconds later at the next dead ball. LeBron had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in 16 minutes during the first half, and he watched the Lakers’ second half from the bench alongside Anthony Davis.
Bronny played about nine minutes in the second half, but didn’t score in the Lakers’ 118-114 loss to the Suns. “I just told him, ‘Keep getting better,’” LeBron said. “He’s young. He wants to continue to improve, and that’s what’s most important. So every time you get a moment out there, just continue to make winning plays. Continue to learn from his mistakes and make winning plays.”
LeBron is beginning his record-equalling 22nd season in the NBA, while Bronny was the Lakers’ second-round draft pick this summer. After recovering from cardiac arrest over a year ago, Bronny played just one college season at Southern California before entering the draft.
Redick had vowed that the pairing would only happen “in the flow of the game,” and wouldn’t be “gimmicky”. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this, I really am,” Redick said. “It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in Year 22. It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point, and really just the fatherly care, and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well. Bronny, he’s such a great kid and a pleasure to be around.”
Redick had vowed that the pairing would only happen “in the flow of the game,” and wouldn’t be “gimmicky”. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this, I really am,” Redick said. “It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in Year 22. It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point, and really just the fatherly care, and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well. Bronny, he’s such a great kid and a pleasure to be around.” – Guardian
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