Bronny and LeBron James are on the verge of making sports history. LeBron's eldest son, Bronny, was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. If both LeBron and Bronny take to the court in the upcoming season, they will achieve an unprecedented milestone in the NBA: the first father-son duo to play together in the league.
The concept of family ties in professional sports is not new, but the notion of a father and son playing simultaneously brings a unique and heartwarming dimension to the game. While father-son duos have been seen in other major sports, this would be a landmark event for basketball fans around the world.
The Legacy of Father-Son Duos in Sports
The idea of family members playing professional sports together isn't unheard of. Looking back to the early days of American football, Ted and Charlie Nesser stand out as the sole father-son duo to have played on the same NFL team. They represented the Columbus Panhandles and competed against the Akron World's Champions on September 25, 1921. The Panhandles, later rebranded as the Columbus Tigers, disbanded in 1926. Remarkably, Ted and Charlie's story doesn't end there; the Nesser family had six brothers—John, Paul, Phil, Ted, Frank, and Al—who all played for the Panhandles at various times in the early 20th century.
Hockey Hits Home
In the realm of hockey, the Howe family is a notable example. Gordie Howe, affectionately known as "Mr. Hockey," achieved a rare feat by playing alongside his sons, Mark and Marty, for the NHL's Hartford Whalers. The family's journey together began when Gordie came out of retirement to join his sons in the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros in 1973. This family collaboration reached a significant milestone when Mark Howe scored his first professional goal exactly 27 years after Gordie scored his first goal with the Detroit Red Wings. The Howes transitioned from the Aeros to the NHL's Whalers for the 1979-80 season, where Gordie contributed a commendable 15 goals and 26 assists.
Baseball's Generations
Baseball, too, has witnessed its fair share of father-son duos. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together for the Seattle Mariners from 1990 to 1991. They even achieved the rare feat of hitting back-to-back home runs on September 14, 1990, highlighting their remarkable synergy on the field. Ken Griffey Jr.'s performance in the 1990 season was particularly noteworthy, as he scored 91 runs, hit 22 homers, and maintained a .300 batting average.
Another memorable pair in baseball is Tim Raines Sr. and Tim Raines Jr., who shared the outfield for the Baltimore Orioles in the latter part of the 2001 season. On October 4, 2001, Tim Raines Sr. played in left field while Tim Raines Jr. took center field, marking another unique father-son moment in sports history.
NBA's Family Affair
As LeBron and Bronny James prepare for their historic debut, they join a list of notable NBA father-son pairs. These include Greg and Cole Anthony, Mychal and Klay Thompson, Bill and Luke Walton, and the Curry family: Dell, Steph, and Seth. While these pairs have all achieved remarkable feats individually, none have had the opportunity to share the professional court simultaneously.
For LeBron James, a player celebrated not just for his extraordinary talent but also for his longevity and basketball IQ, the chance to play alongside his son Bronny is the culmination of both a personal and professional dream. Such an event promises to capture the imagination of fans and inspire future generations, showcasing the unique bonds that sports can foster within families. As we await the upcoming season, the possibility of witnessing this father-son duo on the court stands as a testament to the enduring nature of athletic legacies and the ever-evolving history of sports.