Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. will be present at the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener to witness a historic moment: LeBron James Sr. and his son, Bronny, potentially playing together in the same NBA game. This event marks a significant crossover between basketball and baseball, as the Griffeys were the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball.
The Griffeys’ attendance at the game adds an exciting layer to the atmosphere at the downtown arena, where fans eagerly anticipate the James family’s chance to replicate the rare achievement seen in baseball. “First father and son to play baseball, and now the first father and son to play basketball,” remarked the younger Griffey during an interview with MLB Network Radio. He expressed the importance of being part of both historic moments, emphasizing the thrill of witnessing another milestone.
Bronny James is buzzing with enthusiasm for his official NBA debut, and the presence of the Griffeys only heightens the anticipation for the Lakers’ second-round pick. “Yeah, it’s gonna be insane,” Bronny shared after practice at the Lakers’ training complex. He noted the uniqueness of the occasion, highlighting that only two families have achieved this remarkable feat in professional sports.
While Bronny remains uncertain about his playing time against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned that the team’s rotation is still being finalized. However, the Lakers are likely eager to create history by fielding both LeBron and Bronny, especially after selecting Bronny with the 55th overall pick this summer to join his father, the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. They already shared the court during preseason games, building excitement for this moment.
The rarity of a father and son competing together in North American professional sports is notable, with the Griffeys having achieved this milestone in the early 1990s while playing for the Seattle Mariners. They even made headlines by hitting home runs in the same game on September 14, 1990.
Bronny reflected on the significance of the opener, stating, “It will be different… just a feeling of being in our home arena for the first time and playing a game will be a special experience.” He emphasized his focus on improving and learning from seasoned players.
In the preseason, Bronny participated in all six games, averaging 4.2 points per game, notably boosted by a strong 17-point performance in the last game. His shooting percentage was 29.7%, alongside averages of 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists over 16.2 minutes per game. Coach Redick praised Bronny’s defensive skills, indicating potential for his development as a reliable perimeter player.
Despite not being projected as an immediate rotation player for the Lakers, Bronny’s journey is just beginning. With established players like D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent ahead of him at point guard, he may find himself gaining valuable experience in the G League.
As this milestone approaches, Bronny is excited about the opportunity and has even decided what to call his father on the court after LeBron requested he avoid using “Dad.” “Probably Bron,” he said with a smile, indicating a light-hearted approach to the historic moment ahead.
