LeBron James gets emotional about sharing floor with son Bronny James, opens up on not having a father figure
LeBron James issued an emotional reaction after sharing the floor with Bronny James on Sunday night during the Lakers' preseason game against the Suns. It was also Bronny's 20th birthday, making the moment even more special for the James family.
LeBron thought it was a "cool" experience before he mentioned how not having a father figure makes him understand the importance of what he shared with Bronny on Sunday.
"For a father it means everything," LeBron said (h/t Sportskeeda's Mark Medina).
"For someone who didn't have that, you know, growing up, to be able to have that and influence your kids, have an influence on your son and being able to have moments with your son, and ultimately being able to work with your sons, that's ultimately one of the greatest things that a father can hope for or wish for."
LeBron James grew up with a single mom. His father, Anthony McClelland, had an extensive criminal record and was never part of his life. James faced a lot of struggle growing up, seemingly motivating him to be a great father to his three kids, Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri James.
Bronny and LeBron shared the floor for 2:09 minutes to start the second quarter. The latter was only in action for the first half, which saw coach JJ Redick let them have their special moment early in the game.
LeBron finished with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, shooting 8-of-12, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. Meanwhile, birthday boy Bronny had a forgettable game as he went scoreless, grabbed two boards and committed four turnovers in 13 minutes of action.
LeBron James reflects on picking up his man full court next to Bronny James
LeBron James and Bronny James were right next to each other in their first possession as teammates on defense. Coming out of the timeout, the Suns had the ball on the inbounds. Bronny was picking up the ball-handler, while LeBron was guarding the inbounder, bringing the father-son duo placed side by side.
LeBron said he prepared for this game like any other, but that possession had a different impact in that moment.
"The moment when we came out of the timeout and he was picking up full court and I went up and my guy was taking the ball ... We were constantly next to each other and I kinda looked at him and it was like, like a matrix or something," James said (via Sportskeeda's Mark Medina).
Meanwhile, Bronny James maintained his entire focus during this moment was just to prepare for this game and not think too much about sharing the floor with his father.