If LeBron James Sr. and his son, Bronny, make NBA historical past Tuesday evening by enjoying in the identical sport for the Los Angeles Lakers, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. shall be there to witness it.
The primary father-son duo to play collectively in Main League Baseball plans to be in attendance on the Lakers’ season opener of their downtown enviornment, the place your complete crowd shall be hoping the James household accomplishes the identical uncommon sporting feat for the NBA.
“First father and son to play baseball, (and) now the primary father and son to play basketball,” the youthful Griffey instructed MLB Community Radio. “It is a large deal for my dad and I to be there. We made historical past. Now we get to observe historical past, in order that’s what is going on to be cool about it.”
Bronny James is already excited to make his official NBA debut, however the Griffeys’ presence provides an additional layer of anticipation for the Lakers’ second-round decide.
“Yeah, it is gonna be insane,” the 20-year-old Bronny mentioned after observe Monday on the Lakers’ coaching complicated. “I imply, solely two households to do it, so it is going to be a loopy expertise, particularly (with) what they’ve performed.”
Bronny made it clear that he would not know if he’ll really get to play in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned “nothing has been finalized or something” about Los Angeles’ enjoying rotation.
But it appears unlikely the Lakers will wait to make the second of historical past they have been planning ever for the reason that franchise selected Bronny with the fifty fifth total decide this summer season to play with LeBron, the 39-year-old prime scorer in NBA historical past. The daddy and son already performed collectively within the preseason, first taking the courtroom collectively exterior Palm Springs earlier this month.
A father and son play collectively roughly as soon as in a technology in North American skilled sports activities. The Griffeys achieved the feat in 1990 and 1991, enjoying in 51 video games for the Seattle Mariners — and even homering in the identical sport on Sept. 14, 1990.
Tim Raines and his namesake son additionally performed 4 video games collectively for the Baltimore Orioles on the finish of the 2001 season. Earlier than that, Gordie Howe suited up along with his sons Mark and Marty within the WHA and the NHL and for Group Canada within the Nineteen Seventies.
LeBron and Bronny share courtroom for 1st time in preseason | The Facility

Bronny grew up in his father’s locker rooms and arenas in Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles, so he is greater than able to get past the historic second and into the day-to-day grind of turning into a contributing NBA participant. The Lakers start the season with three residence video games in 5 days.
“I feel it is going to be totally different,” Bronny mentioned of the opener. “No totally different than me preparing for every other sport, however only a feeling of being in our residence enviornment for the primary time and enjoying a sport shall be a particular expertise. … I am simply making an attempt to return in and get higher day by day, study from the fellows which were right here earlier than me. Simply take all of it in and benefit from the expertise.”
Bronny performed in all six of the Lakers’ preseason video games, however his 4.2 factors per sport common was boosted enormously by his 17-point efficiency in final week’s preseason finale during which the Lakers and Warriors each rested most of their key gamers.
Bronny hit 29.7% of his pictures within the preseason whereas averaging 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists, enjoying 16.2 minutes per sport. His defensive work was praised by Redick, who sees the 6-foot-2 guard turning into a stable perimeter participant sooner or later.
“Had some unhealthy video games, some tough begins, so (I have been) simply persevering with to play my sport and play arduous,” Bronny mentioned.
Bronny is not anticipated to be a direct rotation participant for the Lakers, who have already got D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent and 2023 first-round decide Jalen Hood-Schifino forward of him at level guard. There is a good probability Bronny will start the season with the Lakers earlier than heading to the G League to get the constant enjoying time he in all probability wants to enhance.
However he is nonetheless thrilled to achieve this milestone second — and he is even fairly certain what he’ll name his father on the courtroom after LeBron prohibited him from utilizing “Dad.”
“In all probability Bron,” Bronny mentioned with a smile. “That may in all probability be the best one.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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