Basketball world anticipates historic LeBron-Bronny pairing on NBA floor

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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:

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How often will the PA announcer shout out a “James to James” assist during Lakers games?

The heartwarming basketball tale awaits, when a James connects with a James, followed immediately by a dap or hug or head pat or whatever form of love is expressed between them.

This will be special. LeBron James will suit up next to Bronny and share the 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 point.

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.

Once 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 contract is guaranteed for at least three seasons. But second-round picks face steep odds at cracking rotations during their NBA careers, which are normally short.

He has a solid grasp of the nuances of the game, seems fundamentally sound for his age and brings decent defensive instincts. Ultimately, he’ll need an improved offensive game to get minutes and more playing time with his father. Someone his size (6-foot-2) needs a consistent outside shot and an ability to beat his man off the dribble.

Having LeBron as a father gets you in the door. That’s why a first-time, father-son connection is on tap. The rest is up to Bronny.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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