Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 10:21
| Updated 10:28 a.m.
LeBron and Bronny James have made history in the NBA by being the first father and son to play together in an official game. ‘King’ James, 39, and rookie Bronny, 20, met on the court with four minutes left before halftime of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ opening game of the season, in which they defeated the Minnesota 110-103 Timberwolves.
The 20,000 fans at the Crypto.com Arena – the former Staples Center – loudly applauded this milestone in a game in which LeBron James also equaled the record of 22 active seasons held alone by Vince Carter.
LeBron came out as a starter and, after one of his breaks, coach JJ Redick sent him back to the court alongside Bronny, leaving an image for NBA history.
«Are you ready? You see the intensity, right? Just play calmly,” LeBron told his son at that time as heard on the television broadcast.
In the front row, James’ wife, Savannah, and his other two children experienced this historic moment with great emotion: Bryce, 17, and Zhuri, who turned ten on Tuesday. Also in the stands were Ken Griffey Sr. and his son Ken Griffey Jr., who made history playing together in the American Baseball League.
LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, had always expressed his desire to share a locker room with Bronny, who debuted this Tuesday in the competition after being chosen by the Lakers with number 55 in the last Draft.
Redick, also making his debut on an NBA bench, had already used four substitutes before introducing Bronny on the court when the Lakers dominated the score by 16 points (51-35). The guard only played three minutes in which he was left without scoring, missing two shots and capturing a rebound, while LeBron finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. But yesterday, this sporting plan was the least of it.
LeBron and Bronny James attend the media after the game
AFP
Various analysts believe that the shooting guard, who only played one year at the university and suffered a cardiac arrest in training a year ago, is not yet fit to play in the NBA and would need to continue training this season in the development league (G- League).
After the game, Bronny said that playing with his father “was a very crazy moment that I will never forget.” “I try not to focus on everything around me,” he said of the pressure around him. “But I felt the energy of the Lakers fans and I appreciate it.”
For his part, LeBron, sitting next to his son in the press room, indicated that “obviously it is a moment that I will never forget (…) I am very proud of him.” «It has always been family above all else. I missed a lot of things by being in this league,” he recalled. “Being able to have this moment is one of the greatest gifts I have received from the man above, and I am making the most of it.”
