Earlier than they turn into the primary father-son duo to play collectively within the NBA, LeBron James and Bronny James bought their close-up Monday at Los Angeles Lakers media day.
The Jameses have been on the middle of the present on the preseason occasion just a few weeks earlier than the beginning of the 2024-25 season. LeBron James made it clear years in the past that he wished to play alongside his son earlier than his NBA profession was over; now that he is teammates together with his 19-year-old son, he was requested to replicate on his feelings in regards to the association.
“Simply pure pleasure, man,” he mentioned. “I haven’t got any phrases. I can discuss me. You guys ask me questions on me. Relating to him, I am simply puzzled.
“Simply tremendous proud. Tremendous happy with him to get so far. He is a person. He is able to go.”
The Lakers chosen Bronny James, a guard who spent final yr at Southern California, with the fifty fifth general decide in June’s NBA draft.
“It is a loopy feeling,” Bronny James mentioned. “Simply wanting over at my dad taking footage, it was like, ‘What is going on on proper now?’ (That was) actually my ideas. Simply type of take all of it in. Extraordinarily grateful for the chance.”
The daddy and son spent a part of the day posing for images collectively and talking with the press, typical media day actions.
Quickly it is going to be time to get to work. The Lakers’ season opener is Oct. 22 in opposition to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.
New head coach JJ Redick didn’t disclose particulars about how the staff deliberate to get the Jameses on the court docket collectively.
“We do not have something deliberate, per se, by way of a dedication to do it this fashion,” Redick mentioned. “We clearly have talked about it as a workers, and we have gotten into some specifics of what that may appear like. However we have not dedicated to something.”
Redick — a buddy and onetime podcast companion of the elder James — is starting his first head-coaching place of any form. James, in the meantime, turns 40 in December and can be taking part in in his twenty second NBA season, tying Vince Carter for probably the most in league historical past.
“I really feel actually good bodily,” James mentioned. “Mentally, I really feel actually good. Actually sharp. Very contemporary. Trying ahead to attending to work tomorrow. I’ve not considered what the longer term holds. Type of simply residing within the second. Particularly with Bronny being right here, too. I do not need to take this second without any consideration.”
One factor is for certain: LeBron James does not need his son calling him “Dad” once they’re at work collectively.
“I have never gotten there but,” Bronny James mentioned. “It is in all probability gonna be, like, Bron. Bron could be the simplest.”
–Subject Stage Media
