Many kids in the 21st century grew up idolizing Lebron James. His dominance on the court has continued for over 20 years, and his passion for philanthropy off the court has inspired many. In our current generation, most public figures endure high levels of fandom for a year or a few years; however, Lebron’s longevity, not only on the court but also off the court, is truly one of one. His fans, who are as loyal to him as a person as they are to him as a player, form a strong bond with him, allowing for the relentless defense of his name when brought up in the media. In 2024, Lebron accomplished his greatest goal: playing with his son, a moment that will be etched in the annals of NBA history.
The Los Angeles Lakers made history when they selected Bronny James out of USC with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft. This was a pivotal moment in the NBA, marking the first time a father-son duo had been in the league simultaneously and, even more remarkably, on the same team. Despite facing extreme criticism for what many labeled as nepotism, James and his family stood firm, refusing to allow the negative discourse to discount the significant accomplishment. Many believe Bronny would have been drafted much higher if not for his near-fatal incident at the USC basketball facilities. Bronny experienced cardiac arrest during practice, causing nationwide media to explode with confusion. Thankfully, Bronny fully recovered and was able to join the team after a few weeks.
To understand the significance of Lebron and Bronny teaming up, it’s vital to understand the ages of NBA players. According to HoopsGeek, the average age of a player in the NBA right now is 27.8. For comparison, Lebron James is currently 39 years old; he was drafted when he was 18. Bronny is 20 years old, which ironically means Lebron has played in the league longer than Bronny has lived. This statistic is a testament to Lebron’s longevity and work ethic, allowing him to continue his dominance in year 22.
On Tuesday, October 22, the world watched the Jameses together on the court for the first time. Truthfully, as a second-round pick, Bronny likely will not play significant minutes as a rookie, but he received playing time on Tuesday, erupting the stadium in cheers as he and his dad shared the court for the first time. Longtime NBA veteran (and pal of James Sr.) JJ Reddick recently accepted the head coaching position for the Lakers. This position comes with extreme stress as he must manage the star power and media presence of one of the most famous NBA teams. Seemingly, every time he walks to the interview stage, the media seeks answers regarding Bronny’s development as a player. Reddick consistently emphasizes Bronny’s elite on-ball defense and the potential for an increased offensive role as he hones in on his shot. Spending time with the Lakers G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, could provide Bronny an excellent opportunity to develop and have hands-on reps with coaches. The Lakers are competing to win an NBA championship, so developing second-round picks may be a challenge during the 2024-2025 season.
The stress and burden of being Lebron’s son are high, but Bronny has spent countless hours and days in the gym to excel in his shoes. His determination to make a name for himself, rather than simply following in his dad’s footsteps, is truly inspiring. If appropriately developed, Bronny’s potential as a high-level perimeter defender and spot-up shooter is a testament to his resilience and ambition. Each game Bronny appears in will be highly critiqued by the national media, preventing him from simply focusing on his craft. Still, there is no doubt that Bronny will excel in whatever role he finds himself in.
