LeBron James and his son, Bronny, created unforgettable memories during the recent Los Angeles Lakers media day, marking a significant milestone in their family journey. This season, the Lakers will feature Bronny, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, who will don the number 9 jersey. Despite being raised alongside one of the NBA’s greatest players, Bronny still finds himself navigating how to address his iconic father during practice.
“I haven’t figured that out yet,” Bronny said with a smile. “It’ll probably be ‘Bron’—that’s the easiest option.” This light-hearted exchange perfectly captured the camaraderie between the two as they prepared for a historic season where they could become the first father-son duo to play together on an NBA team.
When asked how it feels to share this moment with Bronny, LeBron expressed his profound pride, calling the experience “pure joy.” “I’m just at a loss for words. I’m super proud of him,” he said, glancing at Bronny. “He’s ready to go.”
Bronny, now 19, has had a remarkable journey leading up to this moment. With “James Jr.” proudly displayed on the back of his jersey, he has overcome challenges to reach the NBA. The bond between father and son was evident as they playfully bantered about a recent practice incident where Bronny joked that his defense caused LeBron to step out of bounds.
“I reviewed the film, and he did step out, but I’m not going to dwell on that,” Bronny said, laughing. LeBron quickly chimed in, “What do you mean you’re not going to dwell on it? You just did!”
LeBron’s pride in Bronny’s achievements is palpable. “It’s such a joy to see him grow and overcome obstacles. He uses that as motivation every day to get back to where he wants to be,” he remarked. Reflecting on Bronny’s early basketball days, LeBron shared a memorable moment from when Bronny was just five years old. “He grabbed a rebound, drove coast to coast, and laid it up while strutting back. I looked at Savannah and thought, ‘Oh, he’s special.’”
As the Lakers gear up for their preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves this Friday, excitement is palpable for the upcoming season. The Lakers will kick off their regular season against the same team on October 22.
With both LeBron and Bronny on the court, fans can anticipate not just the thrill of a typical NBA game, but a heartwarming display of familial pride and athletic talent. The James duo is set to create lasting memories, both for themselves and for Lakers fans everywhere. As they embark on this unique journey, the world will be watching, eagerly awaiting the moments that this historic season will bring.
