LeBron and Bronny James are on the cusp of making sports history. The Los Angeles Lakers selected LeBron’s eldest son, Bronny, as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This monumental event brings an unprecedented opportunity for the NBA to witness its first ever father-son duo playing together on the same court in a regular season game.
Father-son duos have occasionally graced the sports world, but such occurrences are rare and cherished. The NFL's Ted and Charlie Nesser remain the league’s only father-son team to have played together, taking the field for the Columbus Panhandles against the Akron World's Champions on September 25, 1921. The Panhandles, which later became the Columbus Tigers, were notable not just for the Nesser father-son pair, but also for having six Nesser brothers – John, Paul, Phil, Ted, Frank, and Al – don the team’s uniform at different times.
In the realm of hockey, Gordie Howe broke barriers by playing with his sons, Mark and Marty, for the Hartford Whalers in the NHL's 1979-80 season. Prior to that, Gordie made a stunning return to professional hockey in 1973, joining the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros to play alongside Mark and Marty. This move not only captivated the hockey world but also resulted in an incredible familial synergy on the ice. Mark Howe’s career marked another historical parallel when he scored his first professional goal exactly 27 years after his father Gordie did with the Detroit Red Wings.
Baseball has also been graced with notable father-son duos. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. brought a unique spectacle to the MLB by playing together for the Seattle Mariners from 1990 to 1991. Their legacy was cemented on September 14, 1990, when they both hit back-to-back home runs, etching their names into the annals of baseball history. Another iconic father-son duo in baseball, Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr., shared the outfield for the Baltimore Orioles in the latter part of the 2001 season. On October 4, 2001, Tim Raines Sr. manned left field while Tim Raines Jr. played center, creating a memorable familial bond on the field.
As LeBron James and Bronny James prepare to join this illustrious list of father-son duos in professional sports, their story stands out within the context of basketball's rich history. Notable NBA father-son pairs such as Greg and Cole Anthony, Mychal and Klay Thompson, Bill and Luke Walton, and the Curry family trio of Dell, Steph, and Seth, have all made their marks within the league. However, none have had the unique opportunity to take the floor together as teammates in an NBA game, an achievement that now seems within grasp for the James family.
LeBron James, a living legend of the sport, has been a dominant force in the NBA since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Over the years, he's accumulated accolades, championships, and records that have etched his name among the all-time greats of the game. Meanwhile, Bronny James has been making strides in high school and college basketball, showing flashes of the talent and charisma that his father has brought to the professional sphere.
The prospect of seeing LeBron and Bronny on the court together transcends the game itself. It’s a narrative full of legacy, family bonds, and the unyielding passage of time. It’s a chance for fans old and new to witness a living bridge between generations of basketball excellence.
As the upcoming NBA season approaches, all eyes will be on the Lakers and the historical potential that lies within their roster. Should LeBron and Bronny both take the court donned in purple and gold, it will not just be a moment for the highlight reels but a significant chapter in the sport’s storied history.
In a sport that thrives on the lineage of its legends, the James family is poised to add an unprecedented father-son dynamic, proving once again that the game of basketball is more than just a game – it’s an enduring legacy.