Not many NBA rookies get a standing ovation while checking into their first professional game, let alone any second-round draft picks.
But that’s exactly the reception Bronny James got on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena as he and Lakers teammate LeBron checked into Tuesday’s season opener, thereby becoming the first father-son duo in NBA history.
‘Y’all ready?’ LeBron, 39, is heard asking his 20-year-old son before the pair checked in against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.
The elder James started game and was already well into his 21st NBA season by the time young Bronny was ready to make his debut. But while sitting alongside his son on the bench, LeBron had clearly shifted into ‘dad’ mode.
‘You see the intensity, right?’ asked LeBron, who was mic’d up for the TNT Sports broadcast. ‘Just play care free though. Don’t worry about mistakes. Just go out and play hard.’
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, and guard Bronny James warm up Tuesday
Bronny James plays defense in his NBA debut as his father LeBron watches closely
LeBron James and son Bronny watch their Lakers teammates play the Timberwolves
Bronny wasn’t on mic, but appeared to answer ‘yup’ to everything his father tossed his way.
Then it was time to check in as the Laker faithful showered the NBA legend and his eldest son with applause.
Although the Lakers were cruising over the Timberwolves when the James gang checked in, Bronny struggled somewhat, missing a 3-point attempt and having a tip-in deflected by former Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert.
The 6-foot-2 Bronny did record an offensive rebound, but soon checked out of the game with the Lakers having been outscored by five points during his three minutes on the floor.
Naturally Mother Savannah and Bronny’s siblings Zhuri and Bryce were also on hand for the occasion as were a number of other major celebrities.
Appropriately, LeBron and Bronny took a moment the tip-off to greet Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., who were on hand to mark the occasion. It was a little more than 34 years ago that the elder Griffey was released by the Cincinnati Reds, allowing him to sign with the Seattle Mariners to play alongside his son.
In fact, the pair actually hitting back-to-back home runs during a game in September of 1990, when they were 40 and 20, respectively.
And they’re not the only father-son duos in American sports history.
In the 1970s and ’80s, hockey legend Gordie Howe played with sons Marty and Mark with the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s Hartford Whalers. Then there were Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Raines and his namesake, who played four games together with the Baltimore Orioles in 2001.
LeBron James, Ken Griffey Sr., Bronny James and Ken Griffey Jr. greet each other Tuesday
Ken Griffey Jr. (left) playing alongside his son and namesake during the 1990 season
A little fatherly advice as hockey great Gordie Howe accepts a gold puck from his sons and teammates Mark and Marty Howe (c) in recognition of his 1,000th goal
The fact the James family will join that list is somewhat remarkable given Bronny’s health scare last summer. LeBron’s eldest went into cardiac arrest during a workout at the University of Southern California before undergoing emergency surgery to fix what was diagnosed as a congenital heart defect. As a result, Bronny missed the USC’s preseason training camp and the first month of the season.
Ultimately Bronny struggled to find his rhythm and averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his one college season before opting to declare for the NBA Draft.
Bronny played in all six of the Lakers’ preseason games, but his 4.2 points per game average was boosted greatly by his 17-point performance in last week’s preseason finale in which the Lakers and Warriors both rested most of their key players.
Bronny hit 29.7 percent of his shots in the preseason while averaging 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists, playing 16.2 minutes per game. His defensive work was praised by Redick, who sees the 6-foot-2 guard becoming a solid perimeter player in the future.
‘Had some bad games, some rough starts, so (I’ve been) just continuing to play my game and play hard,’ Bronny said prior to Tuesday’s opener.
Bronny isn’t expected to be an immediate rotation player for the Lakers, who already have D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent and 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino ahead of him at point guard.
There’s a good chance Bronny will begin the season with the Lakers before heading to the G League to get the consistent playing time he probably needs to improve.
But he’s still thrilled to reach this milestone moment – and he’s even pretty sure what he’ll call his father on the court after LeBron prohibited him from using ‘Dad.’
‘Probably Bron,’ Bronny said with a smile. ‘That will probably be the easiest one.’
