LeBron James officially began his journey as a teammate with 11 of the best American basketball players, aiming for a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While stars like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid are crucial to this quest, only one player holds the ultimate significance for LeBron: his son, Bronny James, who is on track to join him on the Lakers this fall.
Bronny’s Summer League Debut
Bronny James made his Summer League debut in the California Classic, a significant step toward playing alongside his father next season. LeBron expressed his pride and emotions about this milestone:
“For me, to be able to see my son make it in the NBA alone is great,” LeBron said. “It’s always been a dream of his. For us to be side-by-side, I’m proud of him. Words are lost. I mean, the kid has worked so hard to get back to this point, so much has happened over the last year with him.”
Overcoming Adversity
Bronny’s journey to the NBA has been remarkable. He suffered a cardiac arrest on July 24, 2023, while preparing for his freshman season at USC. Despite this setback, he gradually recovered, earned a bench role at USC, and was drafted 55th overall two weeks ago. LeBron reflected on this journey, emphasizing the emotional rollercoaster their family experienced:
“To have this happen less than a year after the incident, to be with our friends and family when they announced his name … our family still doesn’t have enough words to explain the feeling that we had. Such a great kid and I’m looking forward to seeing the progression for him to get better. He has so much room for improvement, the speed of the game, physicality of the game.”
Bronny’s Performance
In his debut, Bronny faced challenges, missing all three of his three-point attempts and scoring four points in 22 minutes. However, LeBron stressed that these early performances are less about stats and more about growth:
“Doesn’t matter if he plays well and doesn’t matter if he doesn’t play well,” said LeBron. “I just want him to continue to grow in practices, in film sessions, individual workouts. You can’t take anything stat-wise from the California Classic or [Vegas] Summer League. Only thing matters is him getting better. He’s behind because he hasn’t really played a full season. Getting better is the only thing that matters.”
Summer debut….Lakers lose bronny james took plenty shots still ending with 4pts..4 million for 4pts is crazy pic.twitter.com/IWm9J3yGeU
— Flyboifattz (@Flyboifattz1) July 6, 2024
Future Prospects
LeBron recently agreed to a two-year extension with the Lakers, coinciding with the team’s decision to sign Bronny to a four-year deal. LeBron turns 40 in December but continues to perform at an elite level, making All-NBA last season, his 21st. Bronny, only 19, will likely spend part of his rookie season with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. However, it seems inevitable that he will eventually play for the Lakers, creating a historic father-son moment on the court.
LeBron’s Olympic Mission
Before father and son can share the NBA court, LeBron is focused on the Paris Olympics, his fourth and likely final appearance. He expressed readiness to take on any role that coach Steve Kerr assigns him, potentially as a ball-distributing player in the backcourt or as a point-forward:
“My game is whatever the team calls for,” James said. “I will be able to provide it. If it’s a game where I need to score, I can provide it, or high assists, I can provide it. I’ve always tried to have my game ready for whatever the game or the team needs. Nothing changes with this team.”
Team Dynamics and Coaching Strategies
Steve Kerr, the Team USA coach, acknowledged the luxury and challenge of coaching a team filled with potential Hall of Famers. He hinted at the flexibility in defining the starting lineup and rotation based on the game and the opponent.
Bronny James
Kerr also took a moment to reflect on Klay Thompson’s departure from the Warriors to the Mavericks. He highlighted Thompson’s meaningful contributions and the natural need for change in one’s career:
“What he did for the team, the organization, for the Bay Area, and for me personally, the relationship that we have, all the incredible success – going through it all together has been so amazing,” Kerr said.
Jayson Tatum’s Absence
Jayson Tatum missed the first day of practice due to personal reasons but is expected to join the camp soon. The team will continue practicing through Tuesday before playing an exhibition against Canada on Wednesday. This will be followed by more exhibitions in Abu Dhabi and London as they prepare for the Olympics.
The Road Ahead
The anticipation surrounding the James family’s potential on-court collaboration is palpable. As LeBron prepares for the Olympics and Bronny embarks on his NBA journey, the basketball world watches with excitement and curiosity. The upcoming months will be crucial for both, filled with growth, challenges, and historic moments.