There is a new dynamic duo in the National Basketball Association, NBA, this season; however, it’s the first of its kind, and many are truly anticipating to see how they will play together. LeBron James, dubbed the “King” of basketball, will make history this season when he lines up alongside his eldest son, Bronny, who recently signed on to the Los Angeles Lakers franchise as a second-round draft pick.
James, who is now 39 years old, is no stranger to making history within the sport, and though this season he will tie Vince Carter’s record of playing 22 seasons in the NBA, he will be more elated about playing with his son.
Fresh off of his Olympic success, where he won gold in Paris with Team USA, James says he is feeling revitalised for the upcoming 2024/25 campaign. The Lakers had an up-and-down season last time out, making the playoffs with a late surge only to exit in the first round. However, James seems to be going into this season more motivated than ever because instead of knowing his son is watching him on the TV or via courtside, Bronny will be right beside his father at some point this season, a feat which James has described as “pure joy.”
“It’s a lot of excitement, a pure joy, to be able to come to work every day, put in hard work with your son every day, and be able to see him continue to grow,” James said at the Lakers media day in El Segundo in Los Angeles, California.
Many have said over the years that James was delaying hanging up his boots just to play with his son, and while that may be true, the basketball superstar foretold no signs of retirement.
“I feel really good physically. Mentally, I feel really good. Really sharp. Very fresh. Looking forward to getting to work. I have not thought about what the future holds. Kind of just living in the moment. Especially with Bronny being here, too. I don’t want to take this moment for granted.”
James, who will turn 40 in December, believes that the tough games in the Olympics and playing alongside fellow greats Steph Curry and Kevin Durant also helped to renew his spirit for basketball, showing him that despite what others think and how he may feel at times, he has a lot more left in the tank.
“When you’re with 11 other unbelievable, great talents, some of the best talent we’ve ever seen, it gives you a lot of joy to be able to play the game; play it at a high level,” he added.
“For myself individually, to go out there at my age, the miles that I have, and to be able to play at the level I played at, it gave me like, ‘Okay, I do have a lot in the tank, a lot, and I can help a big part of a team win the ultimate.'”
“It felt good to play meaningful basketball at the highest level, so to have that feeling again where you’re playing like meaningful basketball, every possession means something; if you make a mistake, it burns you, so it was good to relive that moment.”
Enjoying the game that has brought him so much seems to be the mindset for James this season, all while watching his son chart his own path in the sport. The new NBA season begins on October 22, with the Lakers scheduled to face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home for their first game back.
