:quality(70):focal(1172x620:1182x630)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/liberation/VUI7UWVUCFGRJG3HW4NSITVQKY.jpg?w=1240&resize=1240,&ssl=1)
“I will never forget it.” The “King” LeBron James experienced a new unique moment in his long and prestigious career this Tuesday, October 22, when he shared a few minutes with his offspring Bronny at the opening of the NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The first father-son duo in the history of the American basketball league. During the second quarter of the game won by the Lakers against Rudy Gobert’s Minnesota Timberwolves (110-103), Bronny entered the floor for his first followed by his father, with four minutes to play in the period. “Are you ready? Do you see the intensity? Play without restraintthe father said to the son before entering the fray, according to the microphones.
“That moment, when we entered the field, I will never forget it, even if I become very old, even if my memory fades little by little with age. Whatever happens, this moment will remain unforgettable.”said the player with four NBA titles who is starting his 22nd season at 39 (a record shared with Vince Carter) while his son took his first steps in the league at 20. “Obviously, this is the first time in the magnificent history of the NBA that a father and son have found themselves on the same floor, let alone being on the same team. It was really nice”added the Olympic champion at Paris 2024, in front of the press, after the victory.
The two players had already played a few minutes together on October 6 in Palm Springs (California), but for a pre-season match against Phoenix. For this official premiere in the Crypto.com Arena in the Los Angeles business district, James father and son delighted the spectators, including Ken Griffey Sr. and his son Ken Griffey Jr., who had experienced the same fate on a ballpark in 1990 and 1991 with the Seattle Mariners. The Griffeys posed for a photo with the James at the start of the meeting. Some father-son duos have already marked the history of American sport, Gordie Howe with his sons Mark and Marty in the NHL (hockey), or even Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr. in MLB (baseball) in the early years 2000
Health problem
Rookie (beginner) recruited in the 55th position of the Draft by his father’s franchise, Bronny James played only 2 minutes and 41 seconds with one offensive rebound and two missed shots. Far from being as expected as the patriarch for his first season in 2003, the young back should not get many minutes on the court and will be called upon to continue his progress between the NBA and the G League, his development championship.
But he too will not forget this moment nor the“energy” received from the public. “I try not to focus too much on everything going on around me. I tried not to mess it up completely. But I definitely felt the energy”commented the young back. A moment all the more moving since Bronny had survived a cardiac arrest during training with his university team in July 2023 due to a congenital illness. LeBron James then thought about stopping his career before deciding to continue with the hope of sharing the floor with his son.
“I’ve been busy with this league, I’ve spent a lot of time traveling, I’ve missed important moments. So being able to experience this moment where I can work with my son is one of the greatest gifts I can receive.”rejoiced LeBron James. Before ending his day with this historic match, the almost forty-year-old also celebrated the tenth birthday of his daughter Zhuri Nova. “Everything has been great today, everything since I got up this morning”savored the “King”.
