LeBron James and his eldest son Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play in the same NBA game together on Sunday.
“It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget, and it’s pretty cool,” said LeBron, 39. “I mean, for a father, it means everything.”
The history making moment surpassed all expectations. LeBron and Bronny, 20, combined for 19 points in a 114-118 loss to the Phoenix Suns at the Staples Center. LeBron scored 19 points — all in the first half.
And Bronny, well he scored zero points – but that’s close to his scoring average of 4 points in the G-league.
“He should have stayed in school,” one Western Conference executive said earlier this year, according to ESPN.
“In a normal world, he would’ve been a really good four-year college player,” one Eastern Conference scout said.
“Analytically, if you just had the numbers on a page and had no name attached to it, he doesn’t project in any way, shape or form to be an NBA player. His measurables don’t project as an NBA player. There’s literally nothing about him on paper — if no name is attached to it — that makes this make sense.”
Bronny fared better during his first ever NBA game as a rookie when he scored 2 points in a 124-107 blowout loss to the Timberwolves at home on Oct. 4. His father sat out that game.
But NBA games are more than just scoring or winning. The Lakers are being marketed as family-oriented fun. Forget about winning games or championships. That’s so 2023.
What’s more family-oriented fun than purchasing expensive tickets for your family to watch father-son teammates play together?
If you think the Lakers care about winning games this season, think again. The Lakers are now 0-2 in the preseason — and they couldn’t be happier.
A moment to remember forever ?
For the first time in NBA history, a father-son duo took the court together. pic.twitter.com/2kPiDkE4ha
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 7, 2024
Meanwhile, Lakers fans are annoyed that Bronny gets minutes on the floor while veteran players are riding the bench.
It will take Lakers fans a little more time to accept that the Lakers are a feel-good team who don’t care about winning.
Keeping LeBron happy is the Lakers’ top priority heading into the regular season.
So….Bronny is the worst player on the court in these games. Playing against other 3rd and 4th stringers he doesn't look like he's even in their class. Smh..this will be a joke all year unless he spends all of his time in the g league, literally all of it. Smh
— Al (@al3408) October 7, 2024
Bronny James 0-1 FG and 0pt 13 minutes…that sounds about right. Daddy blackmailed the Lakers into drafting you, taking the roster spot you didn’t deserve. Caitlin Clark plays better than this clown!
— Logan (@Logan96979691) October 7, 2024
Bronny tonight with 4 turnovers and 0 pts on 0% shooting. if you ever wondered what your average LA fitness player would look like playing in the NBA, you’re witnessing it.
— BasketballTakes100 (@BTakes100) October 7, 2024
