By Ben Golliver
Los Angeles: For much of the past two years, LeBron James has seemed restless and impatient. The Los Angeles Lakers star’s chase of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA scoring record had provided structure, motivation and attention early in the 2022-23 season, but there wasn’t much waiting for him on the other side of the milestone.
But when James opened his 22nd season at Lakers media day Monday, the nagging ennui was gone. In its place, he said, was “pure joy.” Even though the NBA’s oldest player will turn 40 on December 30, James said he was reinvigorated by his run to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and is intent on cherishing his time with 19-year-old son Bronny, whom the Lakers selected with the 55th pick in June’s draft.
LeBron James, left, and his son, Bronny James,Credit: AP
“I have not thought about what the future holds,” James said. “I’m just living in the moment. With Bronny being here, I don’t want to take this moment for granted. This is a moment I may enjoy a little bit more. ... It gives you a lot of life when you’re around young guys. I had a lot of fun this summer with [Anthony Edwards], Tyrese Haliburton and some of the young guys on the [Olympic team]. They give you a lot of energy and life. To be alongside [Bronny], it just gives you some more life.”
After going 47-35 and suffering a first-round playoff exit last season, the Lakers return all five projected starters - James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura - and will welcome back Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent from major injuries. While their playing rotation changed little this summer, Los Angeles hired JJ Redick, a 15-year NBA veteran and James’s former podcast partner, as their coach.
Wide smiles were common but there was little talk of retirement or rings after James and his son posed for portraits and sat side by side - No. 23 in gold next to No. 9 in gold - for a television interview. James solemnly dedicated last season to his oldest son, who suffered sudden cardiac arrest before his freshman season at the University of Southern California. Bronny James entered the draft after averaging 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds as a freshman.
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka revealed last week that the NBA’s first father-and-son teammate tandem went head-to-head in a recent scrimmage. Both laughed and talked trash as they gave their version of events to Spectrum SportsNet, the Lakers’ local broadcaster. “This is freaking amazing,” Lakers legend turned commentator James Worthy said. “Can you see the freaking resemblance in their answers and mannerisms?”
Bronny James at the Lakers’ media day.Credit: Getty Images
James said the two don’t get together for stern talks at the dinner table, and he lamented that “there’s not really much interaction on a day-to-day basis” because his son “comes down, eats and goes to his room and plays his video games.” The four-time MVP declared Bronny wouldn’t be allowed to call him “Dad” on the court - “2-3,” “Bron” and “GOAT” were acceptable alternatives. Bronny, for his part, used his media day interview to shut down the idea that they would be carpooling to practices and games.
Even so, the family boundaries remain a work in progress.
“I was doing my radio [interview] over there and my dad is taking pictures,” Bronny recounted. “It was like, ‘What’s going on right now?’ I’m trying to take it all in, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity.” Later, he slipped up again: “It’s such a crazy feeling to be in practice with your dad and competing at a high level. But on the other side of that, having to go against LeBron James in practice every day is a lot.”
James, who was one of Team USA’s flag bearers in Paris, captured his third Olympic gold medal with thrilling wins over Serbia in the semi-finals and France in the final. Though Steph Curry stole the headlines with his remarkable fourth-quarter shooting display against France, James earned tournament MVP honours as the Americans’ main offensive engine and leader. The victories over Serbia and France, which he said felt like “two Game 7s back to back,” scratched an itch that has lingered since the Lakers were unable to defend their 2020 title. And the Olympic experience has James ahead of schedule entering the season.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James talks to reporters.Credit: AP
“I’m not as beat up as I was last [year],” he said. “I feel really good physically. Mentally, I feel really good, really sharp, really fresh. [The Olympics] gave me a sense that I have a lot in the tank - a lot. I can help be a big part of a team win the ultimate [prize], whether it’s a gold [medal] or the Larry O’Brien trophy. I can still get it done. ... It felt damn good, it felt great, to play meaningful basketball, to play for the highest level. ... That fire and desire was brought back to me.”
The expectations for Bronny James’s rookie campaign are much more modest: The 1.9m defensive-minded guard is expected to spend time with the G League’s South Bay Lakers as he works to improve his strength, conditioning and familiarity with NBA terminology. At some point soon, though, James will fulfill a dream he has chased for a decade by becoming basketball’s answer to Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.
“[Bronny] has been in this realm of basketball since he was born,” James said. “I’ve played in the NBA longer than he’s been alive. He understands the nuances of it and being around the game. Now he’s a man, and it’s time for him to learn and get better. I’m super happy for him. Our family is super proud of him. If we get a couple of opportunities out on the floor throughout the course of the season, that’s going to be amazing. That would be awesome.”
Washington Post