LeBron James has found new purpose playing with Bronny, stating, “It gives you a lot of life.” This fresh outlook was evident during Lakers Media Day, where the atmosphere felt lighter and more joyful.
James, known for his serious demeanor, was quick to smile and laugh, a stark contrast to last year’s Media Day when he hinted at retirement. This time, he radiated enthusiasm.
“I have a lot in the tank,” he expressed confidently. “A lot.”
As he enters his 22nd season, just months shy of his 40th birthday, the joy of playing alongside his son Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers this past June, seems to rejuvenate him. This moment fulfills James’ dream of becoming part of the first active father-son duo in NBA history.
During their shared interview with Spectrum TV, they playfully bantered about a recent scrimmage. James had scored on Bronny, later joking on Instagram, “good defense, better O.” Bronny teased back, claiming his father had stepped out of bounds, leading to laughter from James, who noted the lack of cameras to catch the supposed infraction.
The duo posed for photos together, showcasing their bond as they playfully teased each other during media interactions.
When asked about any rules regarding Bronny calling him “dad” on the court, James chuckled and dismissed the idea, saying, “It’s not much like, ‘Hey, meet me at the table at 5 o’clock, we need to discuss work tomorrow.'”
Bronny, however, was less enthusiastic about carpooling to practice, stating, “Definitely not… I like to stay as far away as possible from that guy.”
James’ renewed energy is significant for the Lakers, who faced an early playoff exit last season at the hands of the Denver Nuggets and made minimal roster changes during the offseason.
For the Lakers to compete in a tough Western Conference, they need a motivated James. They require the fierce determination he displayed when leading Team USA to a comeback victory against Serbia in the semifinals of the Olympic Games in Paris, where he achieved the fourth triple-double in Olympic history.
James is no longer fatigued or contemplating retirement; instead, he is filled with excitement, even commemorating his Olympic success with a tattoo of the Olympic rings near his elbow. Following Media Day, he shared videos on Instagram with Bronny, captioning them with “History” and a crown emoji.
Media Day is often seen as a tedious obligation for players, filled with interviews and photoshoots. However, James described this year’s experience as “very cool,” reflecting a positive shift in his perspective.
His outlook is particularly poignant given the challenges faced last summer when Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout at USC, leaving his future uncertain. This experience led James to temper his comments about wanting to play alongside his son.
Now, with his dream realized, James’ enthusiasm has returned, providing him with a new sense of purpose and motivation as he prepares to make history alongside Bronny.
“Just pure joy, to be honest,” he concluded, capturing the essence of this exciting new chapter in his career.
