On Oct. 22, every Lakers fan was on the edge of their seats. Whether they were watching from the comfort of their couch or were one of the 19,000 fans sitting in the Crypto.com arena, everyone wearing the signature purple and yellow was full of excitement and anticipation.
The season opener was at home, against a strong Minnesota Timberwolves team led by two-time all-star Anthony Edwards, yet every Los Angeles fan’s mind was set on one moment. For the first time in history, a father and son duo, LeBron and Bronny James, took the court together on the same team.
The NBA world was swept off its feet during the 2003-2004 NBA season, with the debut of a rookie who would take over the league and set the tone for the future. The Cleveland Cavaliers chose 18-year-old LeBron James from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School as the very first pick of the draft. Every Cavalier fan was ecstatic and eager to see how their new star would influence their team.
James ended up having a huge impact on the sport. He earned Rookie of the Year and led the Cavs to their first and only championship in franchise history in 2016, where they would come back to defeat the Golden State Warriors in a hard-fought series. LeBron’s NBA career is full of some of, if not the best, stats ever put up by a basketball player. His career is highlighted by a whopping four titles under his belt. LeBron is popularly debated as being the best of all time.
Since 2004, LeBron has been living his dream. He has the career he always wanted, the fans, and to top it all off, his son Bronny James was born on Oct. 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Growing up in the James family, Bronny was introduced to the sport at a very young age and fell in love with basketball just as his father had. Bronny attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, the same place his father became a star. He later transferred to Sierra Canyon School in California. His high school career highlighted his amazing skills as a guard, and despite the pressure of living up to his father, Bronny carved his own identity on the court.
However, being the son of LeBron came with much adversity. Bronny constantly faced comparisons and scrutiny from media and fans alike. Despite the challenges, he found ways to showcase his strong-minded self and confidence, such as blocking out what people said.
As he became one of the top high school prospects, Bronnys talent caught the eye of many schools. He ultimately decided to play for the USC Trojans. Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 steals.
After one season, he declared for the 2024 draft, causing the NBA to debate where the 19-year-old would land. His eventual draft spot was one that would be written in basketball history books forever. The Los Angeles Lakers would choose him 55th overall in the second round, where Bronny would play alongside his father.
This is something that has never happened in the history of the sport. The father and son duo became the center of media, and the hype leading up to the regular season opener was unlike any other. The moment finally came. With four minutes left in the second quarter, Bronny entered the game alongside his dad. He played with the same intensity and focus he’s known for, and the duo’s chemistry was evident. As the final buzzer sounded, the Lakers had officially beat the Timberwolves 110-103. LeBron and Bronny would find each other and embrace, a moment that would be captured in sports lore forever. LeBron played for 35 minutes in the season opener, racking up five rebounds, four assists, and 16 points, while Bronny played three minutes, having one rebound, no assists, and no points. For the father and son duo this was not only the perfect start to their season, but the beginning of a new chapter in their basketball careers.
