How many father-son duos has LeBron James played against in the NBA?
LeBron James is in the 20th season of his impressive NBA career. Despite being 38, James has shown no signs of slowing down and is having another fantastic season with the LA Lakers.
During Monday night's matchup against the Houston Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. told LeBron that the Lakers star played against his dad at the start of his career. James faced Jabari Smith Sr. during his first-ever professional basketball game.
This is not the only instance where the four-time MVP has played against both a father and a son. This article will reveal all the other father-son duos the Lakers forward has played against.
LeBron James has played against nine father-son duos
James is dominating the NBA in his 20th season, averaging 29.7 points per game, tied for the fourth-best mark of his career. The four-time NBA champion is also efficient, converting 51.1% of his shots, and he's still a fantastic all-around player.
The Lakers forward has played against nine father-son duos during his career, which is impressive. Monday night's matchup against the Houston Rockets was the ninth time this has occurred.
"You played against my dad, your first NBA game ever," Jabari Smith told LeBron during the game. "You feel old, don't you?"
Here are all the other father-son duos James has faced:
- Gary Payton - Gary Payton II
- Kenyon Martin - Kenyon Martin Jr.
- Gary Trent - Gary Trent Jr.
- Rick Brunson - Jalen Brunson
- Glenn Robinson - Glenn Robinson III
- Glen Rice - Glen Rice Jr.
- Samaki Walker - Jabari Walker
- Adrian Griffin - AJ Griffin
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Jabari Smith Jr. spent 28 minutes on the floor, scoring 14 points against the Lakers. His father, however, did not step on the court during LeBron's first NBA game.
LeBron and Bronny James to become the first-ever active father-son duo in the NBA
While there have been many father-son duos in the NBA, no father and son have played together at the same time. However, LeBron could change this as well. He will most likely play when his son Bronny James enters the league.
Bronny will be eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft. James has a few more years left on his contract with the Lakers, and if everything goes according to plan, he will stay in the league until he's at least 40.
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There is even a chance that the two end up on the same team. LeBron has a Player Option on his contract and could opt out of it in the summer of 2024. If this happens, he could team up with his son.