Bronny and LeBron James are on the brink of making sports history, and the basketball world is buzzing with excitement. The Los Angeles Lakers selected LeBron’s eldest son, Bronny, as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Should they both take the court in the upcoming season, it would mark the first time a father-son duo has played together in the NBA. This unprecedented event is set to captivate fans and analysts alike, as the legacy of the James family reaches a historic milestone.
Father-son duos in professional sports have always fascinated the public, and the NBA has seen its share of talented pairs. Notable NBA father-son pairs include Greg and Cole Anthony, Mychal and Klay Thompson, Bill and Luke Walton, and the Curry family trio—Dell, Steph, and Seth Curry. However, none have shared the court as teammates, making the potential of LeBron and Bronny's simultaneous presence truly special.
Historic Precedents in Other Sports
While the NBA has yet to witness a father-son duo playing together, other sports have their unique narratives. In the NFL, Ted and Charlie Nesser are the only father-son pair to have played on the same team. The Nessers took the field together for the Columbus Panhandles against the Akron World's Champions on September 25, 1921. The Panhandles eventually disbanded and were rebranded as the Columbus Tigers, lasting until 1926. The Nessers' legacy is further enriched as six brothers—John, Paul, Phil, Ted, Frank, and Al—all played for the Panhandles at various times in the early 20th century.
Icons in Hockey and Baseball
The NHL boasts its own remarkable father-son story. Gordie Howe, revered as one of hockey's greatest players, played alongside his sons Mark and Marty for the Hartford Whalers. The journey began when Gordie made his return to hockey to join his sons in the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros in 1973. Notably, Mark Howe scored his first professional goal exactly 27 years after Gordie netted his first goal with the Detroit Red Wings. The Howes eventually transitioned to the NHL's Hartford Whalers in the 1979-80 season, where Gordie contributed 15 goals and 26 assists.
Baseball also offers compelling father-son narratives. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together for the Seattle Mariners from 1990 to 1991. An iconic moment occurred on September 14, 1990, when the Griffeys hit back-to-back home runs, etching their names into baseball folklore. During the 1990 season, Ken Griffey Jr. distinguished himself by scoring 91 runs, hitting 22 homers, and boasting a .300 batting average. Another memorable duo in baseball featured Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr., who shared the outfield for the Baltimore Orioles in the latter part of the 2001 season. On October 4, 2001, they played together, with Tim Raines Sr. in left field and Tim Raines Jr. in center field.
Bracing for a Landmark Season
This upcoming NBA season holds promise for a landmark moment. LeBron and Bronny James are set to join the annals of sports history, potentially paralleling the incredible stories of the Nessers, Howes, Griffeys, and Raineses. While the exact impact on the Lakers' performance remains to be seen, the sheer spectacle of their collaboration on the court is bound to generate immense interest and admiration. Fans of the game eagerly await to witness history in the making, as LeBron and Bronny James embark on this unprecedented journey together.