PALM DESERT, Calif. — Those hoping to see LeBron James and Bronny James share the court for the Los Angeles Lakers as the first father-son duo in NBA history are going to have to wait at least one more game.
While Bronny will make his debut in Palm Desert, Calif., when the Lakers play the Minnesota Timberwolves in a preseason matchup at Acrisure Arena on Friday night, LeBron will be held out of the game, team sources confirmed. ESPN was first to report the news.
In his first media availability since training camp started, Bronny admitted to being nervous and excited entering his first NBA action.
“Of course, there are nerves,” Bronny said at shootaround Friday. “(It) comes with everything. But I’m just excited to go out there and learn and learn from the people playing in front of me. And if I get a chance to showcase my game, then I’m going to do that to the best of my ability.”
Bronny James speaking to the media at shootaround pic.twitter.com/BQWnqkZ9E8
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As for if the dynamic with his father has changed, if at all, Bronny said that the two are having deeper conversations and breakdowns of the game as teammates.
“It’s going to be more in-depth talk about the game and stuff like that,” Bronny said. “So, yeah, I’m ready for it.”
Bronny earned praise from coaches and teammates for his approach in camp and performance in scrimmages — particularly for a couple of plays he’s made against his dad.
During a scrimmage in the weeks leading into camp, Bronny was switched onto LeBron and forced his dad baseline, nearly blocking his reverse layup attempt. LeBron made the basket, but Bronny claims his father stepped out of bounds before the bucket.
Then, in a scrimmage during the first day of training camp, Bronny drew a switch from his dad and drained a 3-pointer over him, leading his teammates to roast LeBron. For Bronny, those types of interactions are special in both the bonding with his dad and showing him he’s on the path to finding his way in the NBA.
“I’d say for me, just building confidence, playing at this next level,” Bronny said of his plays against LeBron. “Going out there and getting my reps in. Hitting those shots means a lot but it’s just getting buckets. It’s not really any difference. Just playing with my dad is just a special experience and I’m really grateful for it.”
(Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
