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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — A historic moment is on the horizon for the NBA as LeBron James Sr. and his son, Bronny, could share the court as teammates for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Gracing the event will be Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., the first father-son duo in Major League Baseball history, who have expressed their intention to witness this milestone.
The anticipation is palpable, not just from the James family, but also from the crowd gathered at the Lakers’ season opener in downtown Los Angeles, all eager to see if this basketball pair can replicate an extraordinary accomplishment achieved by the Griffeys in baseball. “It’s an incredible deal for my dad and me to attend. We made history, and now we get to witness another historic moment,” stated the younger Griffey in a discussion with MLB Network Radio.
Excitement bubbles within Bronny as he prepares for his official debut in the NBA. The presence of the Griffeys only heightens the excitement surrounding his potential first game. “It’s going to be insane,” the 20-year-old remarked following a practice session at the Lakers’ training facility. “Only two families have done it, so you can imagine how special this experience will be, especially considering what they’ve accomplished.”
Although Bronny expressed his enthusiasm, he remained uncertain about his actual playing time against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lakers head coach JJ Redick added that “nothing has been firmly decided” concerning the team’s lineup for the game. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the Lakers will seize the opportunity to create a family legacy, a dream they began to pursue when they selected Bronny with the 55th overall pick this summer. The duo had already shared the court in preseason games, creating an anticipatory buzz among fans.
Such father-son pairings are a rarity in professional sports, occurring around once a generation in North America. The Griffeys first took to the field together during the 1990 and 1991 seasons, where they played 51 games for the Seattle Mariners and even homered in the same game back on September 14, 1990. Other notable pairs include Tim Raines, who played four games with his son for the Baltimore Orioles in 2001 and Gordie Howe, who played alongside his sons Mark and Marty for Team Canada and in the NHL during the 1970s.
Bronny, who grew up in and around his father’s various teams in Cleveland, Miami, and Los Angeles, is ready to shift his focus from the historic significance of this moment to his development as a player. The Lakers’ season kicks off with three home games over five days. “I believe it will feel different,” Bronny commented on the opener. “It’s a unique experience being in our arena for the first time, but I’m also focused on improving and learning from my teammates.”
He participated in all six preseason games, averaging 4.2 points per game, a figure significantly buoyed by a standout performance where he scored 17 points in a recent preseason matchup, where both teams rested key players. Bronny shot 29.7% from the field while contributing 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game over approximately 16 minutes of playtime. His defensive efforts have garnered praise from coach Redick, who sees promise in Bronny developing into a reliable perimeter player.
While Bronny is not currently viewed as an immediate addition to the Lakers’ rotation, with experienced players like D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, and first-round draft pick Jalen Hood-Schifino occupying key positions at point guard, it’s possible he may start his season with the Lakers and then transition to the G League for consistent playing time.
Excitement remains high as Bronny approaches this landmark moment, and he has already decided on how he will address his father during games, opting for “Bron” after LeBron advised against using “Dad.” “That will probably be the easiest way,” he stated with a smile.
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