Tag: Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James and his 20-year-old son Bronny made history during the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first father-son duo to ever play together in an NBA game. This milestone came after years of LeBron expressing his dream of sharing the court with his son, and it was realized when they checked into the game together in the second quarter. The moment was emotional for both, as LeBron recalled how special it was to be at the scorer’s table with Bronny, knowing it was a moment he would never forget.

Their time on the court was brief, lasting about 2 ½ minutes, but filled with significance. LeBron, who had already played 13 minutes, missed two shots before dunking the ball. Bronny had an early offensive rebound and a missed tip-in, followed by a near-miss on his first NBA 3-pointer. Though their playtime was short, the crowd gave them a standing ovation when Bronny exited the game, acknowledging the gravity of the historic moment.

After the Lakers’ 110-103 victory, the father and son shared an intimate moment in the locker room. They stopped in the tunnel to embrace LeBron’s wife, Savannah, and Bronny’s mother, who were both present to witness the history-making event. It was also a special day for the James family, as it was the 10th birthday of LeBron’s younger daughter, Zhuri. The significance of this moment was amplified by the Lakers’ first opening-night win in LeBron’s seven seasons with the team.

LeBron and Bronny’s achievement was echoed by the presence of another iconic father-son duo: Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. The two Major League Baseball stars, who were the first father-son pair to play together in MLB, sat courtside at the game. Their presence symbolized the rare nature of such family achievements in professional sports. The Griffeys and the Jameses shared photos and warm words before the game, reflecting on their respective historic accomplishments.

LeBron had talked about his dream of playing with Bronny for years, even before Bronny was drafted by the Lakers as the 55th overall pick. When the moment finally arrived, LeBron reflected on how surreal it was but emphasized that both father and son stayed focused on their roles within the team. For LeBron, it wasn’t about the spectacle but rather about making sure they contributed to the team’s success. This milestone, while emotional, was approached with professionalism.

Father-son pairings are rare in professional sports, with notable examples like the Griffeys, Tim Raines and his son, and Gordie Howe with his sons. However, LeBron and Bronny’s achievement stands out, as LeBron is still one of the top players in the NBA in his 22nd season. As the Lakers aim to return to championship form, LeBron remains crucial to their success, and Bronny’s addition to the team adds an exciting new dynamic.

Bronny’s path to the NBA was particularly inspiring, especially given his health scare in 2023, when he suffered a cardiac arrest and underwent open-heart surgery. Despite this, Bronny went on to play a shortened season at USC and declared for the NBA draft. The Lakers selected him, and Bronny has since been adjusting to professional life, including practicing and playing in preseason games alongside his father. Both LeBron and Bronny have stressed the importance of preparation and professionalism, knowing it will take time for Bronny to fully adapt to the NBA.

Although the Lakers haven’t revealed how long Bronny will stay on the team, it’s likely he will spend time in the G League with the South Bay Lakers to continue developing his game. LeBron and Lakers coach JJ Redick have spoken highly of the South Bay Lakers’ player development program. With several other small guards on the Lakers’ roster, Bronny may not see regular NBA minutes just yet, but the organization remains committed to his growth and development, making their historic achievement even more meaningful.

LeBron James was the star in Las Vegas at this time last year, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to win the first-ever NBA Cup. Things are different now.

Lakers coach JJ Redick explained this week that James is missing from practice due to “personal reasons” and “left foot soreness,” which is why he won’t play in the game against Minnesota on Friday. Recently, there’s been talk about possible trades involving James, with teams like Golden State potentially interested if he became available. James is also turning 40 in about two weeks.

Whenever James isn’t playing, it makes headlines. Taking time off for personal reasons raises questions. It could mean he’s hurt, frustrated with the Lakers’ recent struggles, or simply needing a break. But for now, it’s clear he won’t be playing on Friday.

“All of this is very fluid,” Redick said when asked about James’ absence. “All of it is. All of it is. That’s what’s crystallized.”

James holds the power with his no-trade clause. If he wants to be traded, it’s likely he’ll be. If not, he’ll stay with the Lakers, alongside his son Bronny.

The Lakers only have two games next week, so it’s a good time for James to rest if his foot is bothering him or if the toll of 22 seasons is catching up with him. In short, nobody knows what’s going on except LeBron.

He’s the oldest player in the league, has broken nearly every record, and has more money than he could ever spend. There’s nothing left to prove. He is under contract for next season, but whether he plays after this season is uncertain.

“I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest. I don’t know how many years that is, if it’s one year, two years, whatever the case may be,” James said last month. “I’m not playing ‘til the wheels fall off. I’m not going to be that guy. I’m not going to be the guy who’s disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor. That won’t be me.”

Despite his lower scoring average (23 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season), his rebounding and assist numbers are up. The only other player averaging 23 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists per game this season is Denver’s Nikola Jokic, a strong MVP contender. So, his performance is still solid.

It’s also worth noting that the NBA trade season is heating up. Starting Sunday, 85 players are eligible to be traded, and there’s a lot of buzz around big names, including Jimmy Butler’s future in Miami.

“Narratives,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday. “That’s going to happen, you know, in every organization at some point during the season.”

This might be one of those moments for the Lakers. As of Friday, they’ve lost seven of their last 10 games, with four of those losses being by at least 25 points. James has seemed frustrated, but that’s understandable after tough losses.

Even though James isn’t playing, his presence is still felt in Las Vegas. There’s a large advertisement with his image near the baggage claim at the airport, promoting a liquor company. But on the court, he won’t be seen, and it’s unclear when he will be next.