PALM DESERT —
LeBron James barreled via the lane and slammed dwelling a left-handed hammer. He sprung via the air to reject a shot. On the primary night time of 12 months 22 — albeit through the preseason — not lots had modified and James was doing the sorts of issues he’s carried out on the courtroom for a era.
However Sunday night time in the beginning of the second quarter, he unveiled his newest — and possibly biggest — trick.
LeBron James and his oldest son, Bronny, shared the courtroom collectively for the primary time as professionals for a four-minute, nine-second shift. It was the primary time a father and son performed collectively in NBA historical past.
“Not real,” LeBron James stated of the sensation. “Still trying to get a little bit used to it, but pretty cool. It’s pretty cool for the both of us and especially for our family. It’s pretty cool. “
In a five-minute postgame interview, James would say “pretty cool” six occasions.
Though the duo’s debut gained’t be official NBA historical past till they play collectively throughout the common season, Sunday was the primary have a look at the best testomony to James’ longevity as not only a professional — however as one of many league’s greatest.
Fittingly, Sunday was Bronny James’ twentieth birthday.
Lakers coach JJ Redick knowledgeable the gamers that he deliberate to play them collectively earlier Sunday.
“I was pretty psyched for that,” Bronny James stated. “But I just got out there and it felt like a normal game with my teammate, to be honest.”
The Lakers’ second-round choose, Bronny James has largely tried to not get caught up within the pleasure round his presence and the chance for on-court moments together with his father.
“I’m always thinking about ‘That’s my dad’ because that’s literally my dad,” he stated with amusing. “So I just go out there and, when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all I’m thinking at that point.”
It’s greater than that to the individuals in and across the group.
“It’s surreal — doing two-on-two, pick-and-rolls together in practice. It’ll be fun when they’re on the court together,” Redick stated pregame. “I’m excited about it. I’m very honored that I get to be part of history.”
The Lakers misplaced their second preseason sport 118-114, hardly the most important story of the night time.
Seen as a possible distraction by some NBA insiders, the early returns on the duo taking part in collectively have been virtually universally constructive. Saturday, D’Angelo Russell stated he’s loved seeing the off-court moments between the primary father-son duo in NBA historical past.
“You kind of see the words of wisdom that Bron’s dropping whenever he gets the chance. Pulling his little one to the side, dropping jewels whenever he gets the chance,” Russell stated. “I mean, that’s a secret. That’s a cheat to the test, right? You got somebody that has all the answers.”
For Bronny James, this all appears secondary as he tries to make his personal title as a contributor this coaching camp with out getting caught up in being part of one of many greatest tales within the NBA.
“To be honest, I couldn’t tell you (how I stay even keel). I don’t know. It’s a lot,” Bronny James stated. “There’s a lot of stuff going around. Just trying to focus on what my job is and what I’m supposed to be doing. I feel like that is the thing that keeps me grounded.”
Sunday, the pair didn’t ship on the form of spotlight second that might totally seize the feat. The closest they got here was when James flipped the ball to Bronny, however the Lakers’ rookie guard missed the three-pointer.
“I was really hoping that wing three on the little side (dribble hand off) had gone in,” Redick stated. “That would have been a cool moment, but they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.”
LeBron James confirmed no indicators of rush in his first sport for the reason that Paris Olympics, trying like essentially the most dynamic participant on the ground regardless of sharing the courtroom with Staff USA teammates Anthony Davis, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
James made eight of 12 from the sphere to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 16 minutes. He didn’t play the second half. Davis, who opened the sport with a lob dunk, completed with 17 factors and eight rebounds.
“Felt like I never missed a beat,” Davis stated.
The Lakers, who led by as many as 16, have been outscored 61-45 within the second half. Nonetheless, there have been principally good emotions postgame. The crew performed higher than it did in a loss Friday to Minnesota. It higher adjusted to Redick’s new system. And it bought to get pleasure from a particular second for its most completed participant and his son.
“The moment when we came out of the timeout and he was picking up full court and I went up, because my guy was taking the ball out, we stood next to each other,” LeBron James stated. “And I kinda looked at him, and it was just like, ‘Is this ‘The Matrix’ or something?’
“It just didn’t feel real.”
