LeBron, Bronny James make NBA history with father-son appearance
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LeBron and Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers are interviewed after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
PHOTO: AFP
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LOS ANGELES – LeBron and Bronny James made National Basketball Association (NBA) history on Oct 22, becoming the first father and son to play alongside each other as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103.
The duo took to the court late in the second quarter at the Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers leading 51-35. An enormous roar went up from the home crowd, as the James duo approached the scorers’ table to check into the game after the Lakers had surged into a double-digit lead.
As they prepared to enter the court, LeBron, who turns 40 in December, could be heard telling Bronny: “You ready? You see the intensity, right? Just play carefree though.”
In a perfectly scripted moment that was pure Hollywood, the James’ double-act was watched at courtside by Ken Griffey Sr and Ken Griffey Jr, who made baseball history playing for the Seattle Mariners as father and son from 1990 to 1991.
“That moment – us checking in together – is something I’ll never forget, no matter how old I get, how my memory may fade as I get older or whatever. I will never forget that moment,” said LeBron, who had started Oct 22 by celebrating the 10th birthday of his daughter Zhuri Nova.
“Everything was just great today, everything – from the moment I woke up. Obviously, this is the first time in this beautiful history of the NBA that a father and son have been on the same floor, let alone on the same team. It was pretty cool.”
Bronny’s debut for the Lakers was subdued. He spent two minutes and 41 seconds on court, taking two unsuccessful shots from the field and grabbing a rebound before being replaced. He expressed gratitude for the supportive “energy” shown by Lakers fans.
“I try not to focus on everything that’s going on around me. I was trying to focus on trying not to mess up. But I totally did feel the energy,” said the 20-year-old, who is expected to spend most of his rookie season in the developmental G-League rather than the Lakers senior squad.
LeBron, who began his 22nd NBA season, reminded his eldest son how fortunate they are to play in the league.
“This is not promised every day that you get to play in this beautiful league,” said LeBron, who scored 16 points in 35 minutes. “There are only 450 of us and you have to understand it’s not given to you, you have to earn every moment. I think he knows that and he looks forward to the process of getting better every single day to be the player he ultimately wants to be. I’m super proud of him.”
Anthony Davis led the scoring with 36 points and 16 rebounds to help coach J.J. Redick secure his debut Lakers victory. Rui Hachimura added 18 points, Austin Reaves had 12 points and Jaxson Hayes added 10.
Anthony Edwards scored 27 points and Rudy Gobert added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the new-look Timberwolves, who saw Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo make their debuts with the team. Randle scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and DiVincenzo added 10 points for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves held a 23-22 lead after the first quarter. Los Angeles began to take control in the second quarter, going on a 17-2 run for a 45-29 lead with 6min 14sec remaining before half-time.
Down by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, Minnesota pulled within 85-81 with 10:38 left in the fourth. However, the Lakers fashioned a 99-88 lead with 5:02 left on a jumper from Hachimura near the free-throw line.
Los Angeles sealed the victory when Davis blocked DiVincenzo’s dunk attempt with 2:43 left and Reaves converted a lay-up on the other end for a 105-95 lead with 2:37 remaining.
In news that shifts LeBron from the headlines to playing second fiddle, Sportico reported on Oct 22 that Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry is projected to bring in the most money among NBA players this season from his salary and off-court endeavours.
Curry, the league’s all-time three-point leader, is expected to make roughly US$155.8 million (S$205.8 million). That would top the US$133.7 million that LeBron is supposed to earn.
No player had earned more money than James in each of the past 11 seasons, reported Sportico. AFP, REUTERS
