LeBron James was speaking to the media after Los Angeles Lakers’ practice when he was asked about his son Bronny’s experience on the Lakers and as an NBA player so far. After beginning to answer the question, James stopped himself and told reporters to ask Bronny such questions themselves as his son is also a grown man.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know… Has he talked to him? Well, you gotta ask him. He’s a grown man, ask him how he’s handling it. He’s a grown man, a professional, and he can handle it, and answer these questions himself. But you know why, good or bad, why the attention is here.”
Reporters, just like fans, coaches, and players, will have to adjust to watching an NBA team where the father and son are both playing. These reporters have been trained to ask LeBron questions about his family over the last 20 years, but need to adjust to the reality of Bronny now being in the NBA. They can ask Bronny questions themselves rather than relying on LeBron to provide updates on the same.
We’re inching closer to watching NBA history be made, as both LeBron and Bronny are expected to share the floor on opening night when the Lakers face the Minnesota Timberwolves. After they play together, they’ll officially make NBA history as the first father-son duo to play together or even be in the NBA at the same time.
Bronny might be a 19-year-old, but he is his own man. Other NBA rookies don’t have their parents being asked questions on their behalf, so it’s fair for James to expect reporters to treat Bronny like he’s his own individual entity instead of just being earmarked as the son of LeBron.
Bronny James And LeBron James Have Already Shared The NBA Court
LeBron James and Bronny have already made history by playing alongside each other during the Lakers 114-118 loss to the Phoenix Suns during preseason. Head coach JJ Redick liked what he saw from the duo at the time, also explaining why he wanted to see how that dynamic plays out during a game.
“I thought the stretch was okay… That was during a stretch where I think we had some issues with our transition defense. Just getting matched. I liked what I saw throughout the first half with all the groups we tried. In terms of the ‘Why’, just wanted to give them a chance to play together in preseason. Within the flow of the game, and how we had done the substitution patterns in game one, that was the right time to do it.”
It seems like Redick will likely be compelled to play Bronny during the Lakers season opener to make NBA history, but everyone will hope Bronny doesn’t get real minutes for the Lakers again in the regular season.
The 2024 second-round pick has played three preseason games, averaging 11.9 minutes, 0.7 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 1,0 blocks, and 1.7 turnovers per game on 1-11 from the field and 0-4 from three.
Bronny could develop into a solid NBA player but needs to spend most of his rookie season in the G League, working on his craft before potentially being a contributing player for the Lakers down the line.
