By Taiwo Ibrahim
LeBron James and his son, Bronny, made NBA history when they played together during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns ahead of the new NBA season.
Bronny, who is James’ eldest son was taken by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
They are the first father-son duo to play at the same time and on the same team in NBA history.
Bronny James came in as a substitute in the second quarter while his dad was on the court, he committed two turnovers during his first two minutes playing alongside his father.
He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games (six starts) during his one collegiate season.
LeBron James had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in 16 minutes, while Bronny James went scoreless in 13 minutes, finishing with two rebounds and four turnovers in the Lakers’ 118-114 loss.
LeBron James was delighted to make history with his son, and admitted that they have been pushing each other.
He said: “It was cool for both of us, especially our family, It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget.
“As a father it means everything. For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your son, to be able to have moments with your son, to work with your son — that’s one of the greatest things a father could ever hope for.
“It’s a lot of excitement, a pure joy, to be able to come to work every day, put in hard work with your son every day and be able to see him continue to grow,” James said.
“We push each other. He pushes me. I push him. We push our teammates, and vice versa. So it’s just a very joyous moment not only for myself, but for our family.”
Bronny James revealed that he is taking everything as they come as he made history with legendary father.
He said: “I’m always thinking about ‘That’s my dad’ because that’s literally my dad,” he said. “So I just go out there and, when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all I’m thinking at that point.
“It’s just taking everything that has happened to me during this year, getting up and continuing to work every day just finding fuel every day to get up and start working.
“JJ has really emphasized the defensive end and being a pest on defense. So that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on stepping on the floor.”
LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time record points scorer and a 20-time All-Star.
