LeBron James Ready to Carve Out Unique Legacy with Son Bronny
LeBron James has made it clear that his vision for the remainder of his illustrious career revolves around a unique milestone: playing alongside his son, Bronny James, in the NBA. As the elder James continues to defy age and remain an elite performer on the court, he is setting the stage for a potential history-making partnership with his son.
The Los Angeles Lakers star is known for pushing boundaries, but he’s also careful to establish them, especially when it comes to his roles as both a father and a professional athlete. LeBron has laid down a set of ground rules for the time when he and Bronny might share the same NBA floor. "No, he can't; we already laid that down. Once we leave, out of the practice facility, and the gates close, I could be 'Dad' again. In the car if we ride together. At home, I could be 'Dad.' No, he gotta call me '2-3' or 'Bron,' or 'GOAT' [greatest of all time] if he wants to. It's up to him. I mean, it's up to him," LeBron said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional respect on the court.
The Lakers’ upcoming media day on September 30 and the training camp that follows on October 1 will serve as vital stepping stones for the upcoming season. With the team’s preseason games offering essential insights into offseason progress starting with a matchup against the Timberwolves on October 4, fans and analysts will be closely watching LeBron and the Lakers’ preparation. Of particular interest will be the regular-season opener against the Timberwolves on October 22, where LeBron will continue to demonstrate his unparalleled impact on the game.
LeBron’s excitement about potentially sharing the NBA spotlight with Bronny is palpable. It's easy for him to adapt to calling his son “Bronny,” but he acknowledges it will be an adjustment for his son to refrain from using “Dad” during games. "We cannot be running down the court, and he'd be like, 'Dad, Push the ball up! Dad, I'm open! Dad, come on!'" LeBron explained, outlining scenarios that could blur the lines between fatherly advice and on-court commands. "It's easy for me because I've been calling him 'Bronny' for so long. It's not like I've been, 'Hey son, hey son.' So it's easy for me. It's gonna be an adjustment for him," he added.
The media day event will provide the Lakers’ players and coaching staff an opportunity to address the press and set the tone for their goals heading into the season. These days often unfold with a mix of optimism and reflection, as teams disclose their off-season learnings and aspirations. The Lakers, with LeBron still central to their strategy, will look to maximize their collective potential, keenly aware that every passing game brings LeBron closer to his personal milestone with Bronny.
Despite the novelty of potentially sharing the NBA stage with his son, LeBron’s professionalism remains unwavering. His determination to separate his paternal role from his responsibilities as a teammate only underscores his commitment to the game and to Bronny's development as a player. Whether referred to as "2-3," "Bron," or even "GOAT," LeBron’s legacy as one of the game's all-time greats is unquestionable. The potential addition of playing alongside his son is merely the latest chapter in his enduring story.
The curtain on this unique father-son narrative will begin to rise as training camp unfolds and preseason games commence. For now, the basketball world awaits, eager to see how LeBron and the Lakers maneuver through this season, with fingers crossed for a historic pairing of a father and son on an NBA court.