EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — These days, LeBron James wraps up every Los Angeles Lakers practice by shooting hoops with his son, Bronny.
During the Lakers’ post-workout shooting sessions at their training facility, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and his 20-year-old son take turns sinking jump shots alongside third-year guard Max Christie. This quality family time has become a surreal experience for LeBron, who had long dreamed of sharing the court with his son.
“For a father, it means everything,” LeBron shared, reflecting on this rare opportunity.
In less than three years since LeBron expressed his wish to play alongside Bronny before he retires, they’ve teamed up in preseason games. Soon, they’ll make history as the first father and son duo to play in an NBA game at the same time, marking an extraordinary milestone.
“It’s a special feeling, a different feeling, to work with him,” LeBron remarked, who will turn 40 in December. He added that in their daily interactions, they can communicate without words, simply through shared glances and understanding.
The sports community has been closely observing the Lakers as they embark on this unique family dynamic, which might pose challenges for LeBron, Bronny, and their teammates, as well as Lakers’ rookie head coach JJ Redick.
Bronny has openly acknowledged the challenges of favoritism and nepotism that come with being LeBron’s son as he starts his NBA career. Some critics have raised eyebrows at the decision to use a draft pick on him, questioning whether a rookie with his inexperience fits into a championship contender’s plans.
“Navigating this situation won’t be easy,” cautioned Stan Van Gundy, a seasoned NBA coach and current analyst. “There will be a lot of outside chatter surrounding Bronny. If he doesn’t play, people will want him to play with LeBron. If he does play, some will argue he doesn’t deserve it. Yet, this is a remarkable event that should be celebrated.”
Indeed, only a few athletes have played alongside their sons on a professional team, and those like Ken Griffey Sr., Tim Raines, and Gordie Howe were not at their peak performances when they shared the roster with their offspring. In contrast, LeBron remains one of the league’s top players, and the Lakers hold championship aspirations with a squad built around him and Anthony Davis.
As Bronny joins the team, the atmosphere around the Lakers has been positively charged, both from the front office that made this happen and the teammates who support the James duo. Regardless of how often LeBron and Bronny play together this season, the Lakers are thrilled to be making history.
Davis, who has known Bronny since joining the Lakers in 2019, has noticed his evolution. “It’s amazing,” said Davis. “It feels historic. Every time I see Bronny’s locker, it reminds me how surreal it is that he’s on the same team as his dad. I’m excited for the moment they step onto the court together to make history.”
While LeBron has enjoyed global stardom for over 20 years, Bronny is more reserved. Friends and family humorously point out that his love for video games rivals his passion for basketball, a sport that only became his main focus relatively recently.
LeBron played a significant role in shaping their current situation, initially stating that he wished to conclude his career on the same court as his son. However, he later clarified that his primary goal was to share the league with Bronny. Just a year ago, that seemed uncertain when Bronny faced a serious health scare, suffering cardiac arrest during a workout at USC.
While Bronny admitted it wasn’t necessarily his dream to play alongside his father, he made it a reality by entering the draft after just one brief season in college. The Lakers’ management has fully backed this decision. When general manager Rob Pelinka selected Bronny with the 55th overall pick, he did so with historical context in mind, stating, “The biggest moments in sports happen with the Lakers.”
Nonetheless, basketball analysts generally agree that Bronny might have benefited from another couple of years in college, as he is currently seen as a fringe NBA prospect. If he bore a different last name, it’s likely he wouldn’t have been drafted at all.
The potential perception of favoritism could lead to discontent among players who have toiled harder for their chances. However, there is no indication of any resentment from his teammates. Instead, the Lakers appear to be rallying around Bronny in the face of media scrutiny and skepticism from others in the league.
“There’s pressure on all of us, but the pressure on him is unique compared to most second-round picks and 20-year-olds,” Redick noted. “However, I don’t sense any apprehension. We’ve discussed with him the importance of maintaining consistent effort and energy, which is something many young players learn.”
Bronny’s work ethic and commitment to improvement have earned him the respect of his teammates. Many attribute this dedication to having grown up alongside LeBron’s relentless pursuit of excellence over his record-tying 22-season career. His defensive skills have particularly impressed, especially following the summer league.
“He’s tough,” said Davis. “He has a defensive mindset, showcasing some great blocks. He’s physical and adept at causing deflections and steals. Nonetheless, he’s still learning. He’s a rookie adjusting to a different style of basketball, but I like what I’ve seen so far.”
___
AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney in New York contributed.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
