With the Los Angeles Lakers chasing another Finals appearance after a five-year drought, LeBron James faces a new challenge on the court-his son, Bronny James. The NBA icon recently revealed that playing alongside his son in professional settings causes him to lose focus at times, something he’ll have to rein in as they gear up for the upcoming season.
The journey of LeBron James Jr., affectionately known as “Bronny,” has been nothing short of dramatic. Last year, a heart condition cast doubt on his career, but the young talent bounced back and made headlines once again when he was drafted by none other than his father’s team, the Los Angeles Lakers, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
But as exciting as the father-son pairing is, it’s not without its complications. After a turbulent Summer League, LeBron and Bronny are set to share the professional court for the first time this Friday when the Lakers face the Minnesota Timberwolves in their preseason opener. And LeBron knows that his fatherly pride might get in the way.
LeBron and his pride issues
“This week, we got back into the gym, and it was the first time me and Bronny were basically on the floor as professionals, training, going against each other,” LeBron told DraftKings. “I had a couple moments where I just… lost focus,” he admitted.
With weeks of preseason preparation ahead, LeBron will need to sharpen his mental game and maintain focus to guide the Lakers through what promises to be a tough season. After all, this isn’t just any season for “The King”-it’s his first playing alongside his son.
LeBron has been through 21 NBA seasons, but the sight of his son in Lakers gear has stopped him in his tracks more than a few times. There may even be moments during the regular season when LeBron steps aside to let Bronnytake the reins, something he’s never had the chance to do before.
LeBron’s prophetic moment
During the Lakers’ Media Day, LeBron recalled an early moment in Bronny’s athletic career that hinted at the greatness to come. “He grabbed a rebound, drove coast to coast, through the lane, past a few kids, and laid it up,” LeBron said, adding that Bronny had a confident trot back afterward. LeBron looked over at his wife, Savannah, and said, “Oh, he is special.”
At the time, Savannah scolded LeBron for placing such high expectations on their five-year-old son. But as Bronny prepares for his preseason debut, Savannah had to admit LeBron was onto something. “I brought it back to her, and she was like, ‘I remember you saying that, like, 12 years ago.'”
As father and son prepare to embark on this unprecedented NBA journey, fans are eager to see if the James duo will deliver the magic that LeBron prophesied all those years ago. Can LeBron balance his emotions and lead the Lakers while watching his son carve his own path to stardom? Only time will tell.
