It was an offseason that LeBron James will remember for the rest of his life.
The Los Angeles Lakers star, 39, was peeing ahead of his record 22nd NBA season, mostly because it’s the first season he’ll be on the court alongside his oldest son, Bronny James.
“There’s a lot of excitement,” LeBron told reporters at the Lakers’ media day on Monday, according to the Associated Press. “It’s pure joy, to be honest, to be able to come to work every day, put in the hard work with my son every day and be able to see him continue to grow. We push each other. He pushes me, I push him. We push our teammates. Just a very joyful moment, not only for me, but for our family as well.”
Bronny, 19, was selected by the Lakers in the second round of June’s NBA draft after one shortened season at the University of Southern California.
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Bronny James Jr. and LeBron James.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty
Although Bronny is expected to make only a few appearances in his rookie season, according to NBA.com, the first time he steps on the court with his father will be historic as no father-son duo has ever played together in the NBA. It’s a feat rarely achieved in other leagues: there’s Gordie Howe and his sons Mark and Marty in the NHL, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. in the MLB, and more than a century ago it was Ted and Charles Nesser in the NFL.
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LeBron told reporters Monday that he only expects to get “a few opportunities” to be on the floor at the same time as Bronny, but that he’s already looking forward to it.
“If we get some opportunities on the floor throughout the season, obviously that’s going to be amazing,” LeBron said. “It will be great. We will wait for that moment when it happens and then go from there.”
LeBron James says he doesn’t want son and Lakers teammate Bronny calling him ‘dad’ on the court
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Bronny James Jr. and LeBron James.
Frazer Harrison/Getty
On Monday, father and son took team photos together and spoke to reporters about what it was like working with each other. When reporters asked if Bronny was allowed to call LeBron “Dad” at practice, the teenager teased that he would call LeBron “whatever” he wanted. Meanwhile, LeBron laughed and said how proud he is to see Bronny “continue to grow” and “get better and better” as a player. LeBron’s longtime teammate Anthony Davis said it was “surreal” to walk into the locker room and see “James Jr.” on the jersey hanging in one of the booths. It’s historic,” Davis said. ”
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And aside from the impending climactic moment of the NBA’s first father and son stepping onto the court together, LeBron says he feels ready to compete this season after spending the offseason winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and being named the MVP of the Olympic tournament.” feel doing damn well,” LeBron said, according to ESPN.
“I feel really good physically. Mentally, I feel really good. Really sharp. Very fresh. I’m looking forward to coming to work tomorrow,” the 21-year NBA veteran said. “I haven’t thought about what the future holds. I kind of just live in the moment. Especially when Bronny is here. I don’t want to take this moment for granted.”
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Source: HIS Education