The Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
We’re counting down 24 key storylines heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. Our senior analysts will dissect a new topic each day as we help you get ready for opening night on Oct. 22.
Here is storyline No. 23:
How often will the PA announcer shout out a “James to James” assist during Lakers games?
And of course, there’s the greatest feel-good basketball story of all: when a James finds a James and immediately thereafter, a dap or a hug or a head pat or whatever manifestation of love finds its way between them.
This will be special. LeBron James will lace them up next to Bronny and share the same floor for the Lakers at some point, basketball Gods willing. All debates about the readiness of Bronny – the 55th pick in the June draft – are just noise at this juncture.
A father will play basketball with his son. In the NBA. That’s all that matters.
Now, if you ask how many times this will happen, there’s your debate.
Once is enough to make NBA history. Dozens of times seems a bit of a reach, at least in Bronny’s rookie season. That’s because his type-young players lacking in experience and in need of development-tend to either (a) sit on the bench and clap, or (b) do time in the G League.
The most realistic and reasonable approach with Bronny is to allow for growth on his own timeline, give him just enough of a taste of the big leagues to stimulate his appetite, but otherwise keep him in the lab, working on his game.
That blueprint seems ideal, to relieve him of any pressure or urgency, squelch all the silly expectations and hype and keep everything organic. Leave his ultimate fate to him and the three Ds-desire, determination and discipline.
When the father and son have Their Moment, the circus will leave town anyway and the shine will return where it belongs-on the four-time champion who keeps defying age. More than anything, LeBron put himself in position to experience this with his son by staying in supreme condition and playing at a high level for two decades. He is deservedly being rewarded for that in more ways than one.
As for Bronny? His deal is fully guaranteed for at least three years. But second-round picks face steep odds at cracking rotations during their NBA careers, which are usually short.
He has a good understanding of the flow of the game, is fundamentally sound for his age and brings some nice defensive instincts. At the end, he’ll need an improved offensive game to get minutes and more playing time with his father. A guy his size at 6-foot-2 needs to have one consistent outside shot or an ability to beat his man off the dribble.
Having LeBron for a dad gets you in the door. Which is why a first-time, father-son connection is on tap. The rest is up to Bronny.
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